Trial Continues In Baby`s Death
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
A state medical examiner told Pope County
jurors today that it was apparent the death of a 5-month-old boy
was a homicide, not related to what witnesses called the child`s
poor health.
Thirty-year-old Peter David Vega is charged in last April`s
death of his son Elias. Prosecutors in the capital murder trial
rested their case today after calling 17 witnesses.
Doctor Charles Kokes, a forensic pathologist with the state
Medical Examiner`s office, performed the autopsy. Kokes said he
noted hemorrhages around the boy`s eye and evidence of trauma on
his body and head.
Kokes told jurors that some of the injuries were suffered when
the child was alive.
Defense attorney Jeff Phillips maintains that police acted too
quickly in charging Vega and that the man is innocent.
Posted by Mike Hellgren
