A judge last week denied convicted child killer Adam Montgomery’s request to skip his sentencing hearing next month.

A jury found Montgomery guilty in March of beating his daughter, Harmony Montgomery, to death because she soiled herself, as CrimeOnline reported. He did not show up in court for most of the trial. The jury deliberated for about six hours before returning the unanimous guilty verdict on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree assault, falsifying evidence, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with witnesses.

Earlier this month, his attorney asked that Montgomery be excused for the sentencing hearing, and the state objected, WMTW reported.

In her order, Judge Amy Messer noted that the only “factual basis” Montgomery gave for missing the sentencing is that he insists he is innocent.

“However, the defendant has been found guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, by a jury as to those charges,” she wrote. “He asserts no other factual basis for excusal.”

New Hampshire law requires that a defendant be present when the victim or victim’s next of kin addresses the court, and Harmony’s relatives intend to deliver victim impact statements.

The sentencing is scheduled for May 9.

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[Featured image: Harmony Montgomery and Adam Montgomery/police handout]