Final trial preparations were made Friday in the case of a Lawrence man charged with murdering his infant daughter through repeated child abuse.
Defense attorneys and prosecutors were in court arguing about how many photos of infant Risha Lafferty's body should be allowed at the upcoming murder trial of her father, Jay D. Decker.
His attorneys opposed the state's request to enter five photos of the baby's bruised body into evidence, arguing it was repetitive and likely to prejudice the jury. But Judge Paula Martin agreed with prosecutors, who argued the photos were permissible because they each showed different injuries and were taken from different angles.
"It's always disturbing to see a photo of a deceased child, but I don't think that five is an unacceptable or prejudicial number," Martin said.
Decker, 27, is scheduled to stand trial starting July 31.
Risha's mother, Brandi Mae Hendrickson, and Decker moved into Edgewood Homes, 1600 Haskell Ave., nearly a year ago after coming to Lawrence from Miami County.
When Hendrickson got a job, Decker stayed home and cared for Risha and the couple's 2-year-old daughter. Hendrickson has testified Risha suffered repeated injuries while under Decker's care in roughly the month leading up to her Oct. 14 death.
When Decker called emergency crews to the home that day, he told police Risha had fallen off the bed and suddenly stopped breathing.
But at a preliminary hearing in February, Coroner Erik Mitchell testified that Risha died of "deliberate injuries of force to the head." He said she had a fractured skull, bruises under her scalp, signs of being shaken and 35 bruises or other external injuries.
Hendrickson has been charged with felony child endangerment for failing to report the girl's earlier injuries, but she's agreed to testify against Decker in exchange for a misdemeanor plea.
Comments
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touringdriver (anonymous) says…
hopefully they'll make him a soap boy in the joint. and he gets his abuse daily for a long time. sad a child has to loose their life at the hands of such a monster.
OfficeGirl (anonymous) says…
He will probably be a coward and ask for protective custody or solitary or whatever they call it when an inmate is kept separate from other inmates to keep them from harm. Too bad. He needs a world of harm to come down on his worthless self. Maybe someone can demonstrate to him up close and personal how it feels to have your head beaten repeatedly, be shaken hard enough to feel like your brain is coming loose in your head and bruise him up otherwise just for fun.
It would be nice to have a little more background on the mother of this baby. I find myself getting really disgusted with her lack of handling this situation prior to the death of her child and want to be fair until I know why she did nothing. No matter how many scenarios I run through my head it still doesn't make any sense to me that she did nothing to make him stop.
What about the neighbors? Are the walls that thick at Edgewood that no one could hear what was going on? Is everyone afraid of getting involved when a child is being hurt at the hands of a parent? Or had there been SRS involvement and nothing came of it?
Too many questions and no answers. All I can say is may this little girl rest in peace as she is in a better place now than she ever knew while alive and may all those who hurt her or had a hand in hurting her rot in hell.
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
I think two pics. one of her alive and happy and one on the table at the morge(sp) all cut open or some other yuck pic. so every one can see what has been lost to the world.
TJ_in_Lawrence (anonymous) says…
In earlier comments this guy said he had anger problems. He obviously had more than anger problems. He would have to be a hearltess demon to have done this to anyone, especially a child.
I'm just waiting for the bleeding hearts to start in that he was the victim and that it isn't his fault that he did this. Mark my words... it's comming.
justsomewench (anonymous) says…
so, if Decker was the father of Henderickson's baby, where did Lafferty come from? er, i mean, with such apparent stable familial foundation, who'd've thunk something like this could happen.
brandi should serve right next to the man. pictures of the parents are enough to turn my stomach at this point.
Lynn731 (anonymous) says…
Criminals in the joint have their own code of "honor or justice". They hate people who hurt children or elderly people. That jerk will hopefully get a shiv before he has a chance to ask for solitary. Thank you, Lynn
justsomewench (anonymous) says…
swbsow-
friendly suggestion: you'll see generalizations to some degree in most posts online (you know this and probably have been guilty of the same), so beware of getting caught up in sounding the alarm whenever you see one. there's not that much time in the day.
if you're calling my statement a generalization, the only logical "generalization" to assume is that i am saying families with more than 2 last names are doomed for a child death by abuse. that being a stretch on your part (and mine, had that been what i was stating), let's back up.
according to the article (unless i've misread or it was otherwise not included - either which is entirely possible), Decker was the natural father. where does the Lafferty name come in?
let's be reasonable. families with several last names in the mix would logically have some history of changing relationships. change =/= stability. with what was presented, at face value, it doesn't look like the most stable gig.
to address your generalization, no (laugh) step-fathers are not inherently evil. melded families can work very well.
this family was not an example of a good deal for the kiddo. if that's what i see from the child having what appears to be neither the mother's nor the (biological?) father's last name, color me generalizin'.
you're usually such a reasonable person. perhaps it's the heat? (2 generalizations, just for you.) ha!
god rest this poor child. :(
bizarre (anonymous) says…
What a tragedy! Who could harm the smallest most vulnerable human ( a little child) that is very sad. I can't imagine the pain the family is now. I am sure he will get time off for good behavior.
justsomewench (anonymous) says…
more than forgiven, of course. (i quit smoking; i could still be a bit wiggy. and, then there's the heat...)
i'm a divorced mom with 3 kiddos and am a bit put off when folks ask me if they're all from the same father (an intrusive question, if you ask me). it's obvious they're expecting them not to be and they're oddly impressed when i assure them that they are.
those are the types of questions that tell you more about the questioner than the questionee, i think.
mixedemotions (anonymous) says…
I don't know how many of you that are following this case know Jay personally and I guess that don't matter but don't pass judgement until you know all the facts. Think about things that have happened in your lives (not as severe as this i'm sure)and think about the people that passed judgement on you and as the story spread it became much more that what it started as. I'm not saying that Jay is innocent or guilty, there's only one person that knows this, just don't throw stones until you know the exact details. I knew Jay when he was a young child growing up and personally the kid I knew isn't capable of killing a child. He did have a very big heart and I can't believe that would have changed.
justsomewench (anonymous) says…
swbsow-
if it further helps my case any, all 4 of my stepfathers were stand-up fellas. i've not an ill word to say about a one of 'em :P
mixed-
everyone has a story. it's how they deal with it that counts. even big-hearted people make bad choices.
mixedemotions (anonymous) says…
swbsow-don't know anything about the last name. I moved out of the area that Jay lived in a long time ago.
girlie04 (anonymous) says…
Ok for starters I am a close respondent to this case. I have known Jay for many yrs.Just for instance I know all to well things that Brandy has done since this babies death and b4 that would just BLOW ur minds.As to the person that did this to Risha u would have way better perception to the truth.The last name is the grandmothers maiden name.For what reason she named her that I have no clue she is crazy.As for Jay i have been following his case very closely. The coroner has stated such at the preliminary hearing that Risha had been abused since birth.Jay WAS NOT in that babies life till the last 6wks of her short life.He was trying to get away from the crazy witch but still see his girls.So as I see it the only thing he has done wrong was making the choice to try to put up with her mental azz and be with them i.e. moving to Lawrence to take care of them.As for the mental status of Brandi...U don't take ur children to the doctor or tell anyone they are being abused when u are the one doing it!!! has that ever entered anyones mind? She knew what she was doing the whole time..just waiting for the perfect opportunity for someone else to take the fall while she was conveniently at work...hmm ya think?anyway i just wish every1 knew what they were talkin about on here b4 they start makin retarded comments that they know nothing about.I don't remember there being anyone in the court room last time besides me and the press and lawyers and the judge.So anyone care to join us for the trial to find out the truth because I will be there everyday for Jay and Risha(rip baby girl).
crazyks (anonymous) says…
If he knew there was something wrong with the child, why didn't he call 911 or take her to the doctor? If he wasn't doing anything to her, but thought that her mother was, why didn't he say anything?
If you know that child abuse is happening, and you do nothing to stop it, then in my opinion you are just as guilty as the person that did it. This holds true regardless of whether it was her mother or father that killed her.
Exactly how did the mother go about killing that baby when she wasn't even home, girlie?
girlie04 (anonymous) says…
crazyks...these are issues that are going to be at the trial for 1. that babies injuries were the type that the Risha could or couldn't have died instantly from.2. She had been throwing up all the night b4 and the mother wouldn't get out of bed to take her to the doctor ...she was too tired.3.There was 45 min between the time that Brandi left for work and when Risha died...Sooo ur tellin me that Jay woke up when she left and decided oh I think i will kill Risha today??? Be Real I wish u ppl talkin trash new half of what i know u would have something for sure to talk about.If u attend the trial daily i am sure u will figure it out with a quickness who did this ...but also to know what crazy psychotic stuff she has done since Risha's death.
crazyks (anonymous) says…
Then he should have DONE something, instead of just sitting there and letting that child DIE!
Why didn't HE take her to the doctor? You're not answering the question.
Don't tell me that he didn't do anything because he was afraid of the mother. It's not a good enough excuse for a woman to make (and they have), and it's not a good enough excuse for a grown man.
If he knew or suspected that that baby was seriously injured, then he should have got off his a@@ and done something about it.
Matter of fact, even if he had nothing to do with the abuse (as you claim) he is still guilty...if he knew abuse was going on, or if he saw abuse occuring, then it was HIS responsibility to report it to someone...a doctor, the police, SRS.
You don't stop abuse by sitting back and just letting it happen and watch!
You know, I would think that having a child DIE would be enough to make someone go nuts.
crazyks (anonymous) says…
Then he should have DONE something, instead of just sitting there and letting that child DIE!
Why didn't HE take her to the doctor? You're not answering the question.
Don't tell me that he didn't do anything because he was afraid of the mother. It's not a good enough excuse for a woman to make (and they have), and it's not a good enough excuse for a grown man.
If he knew or suspected that that baby was seriously injured, then he should have got off his a@@ and done something about it.
Matter of fact, even if he had nothing to do with the abuse (as you claim) he is still guilty...if he knew abuse was going on, or if he saw abuse occuring, then it was HIS responsibility to report it to someone...a doctor, the police, SRS.
You don't stop abuse by sitting back and just letting it happen and watch!
You know, I would think that having a child DIE would be enough to make someone go nuts. Especially if you knew you could have stopped it and didn't.
Wilbur_Nether (anonymous) says…
justsomewoman asked "if Decker was the father of Henderickson's baby, where did Lafferty come from?" This is a question you should discuss with your parent, guardian, or family physician. Learning about these "facts of life" over the internet is fraught with opportunity to get bad information.
Hey, everyone, no attacks on Judge Martin's ruling in this case? Huh. I wonder why not....
crazyks (anonymous) says…
I didn't post that twice...honest.
girlie04 (anonymous) says…
crazyks
Jay did not know the signs of abuse this was his first real go at being a father.Hmm sorry to say to the fact that him taking her to the doctor was not as easy as 123 he was not on a piece of paperwork anywhere to take her to the doctor.If he would have taken her to the doctor treatment would have been refused do to the fact of the new Hippa laws and a provable parent has to be there to treat the child.Has anyone just tried to take the neighbors kid to the doctor? No because they would get nowhere in treating the child for the fact of their not being the parent or Guardian. This would have been the case for Jay if he would have sought medical treatment for Risha.Askin a question to whether anyone with children have had mishaps such as ......the lil older sibling trying to help with the baby.For instance the older sibling trying to pull the other sibling thru the baby bed openings?Or the older sibling trying to feed the baby and pulling the high chair down instead?As I have told the detectives in this case "In my opinion of this is POOR Parenting when a baby falls u take them to the doctor" The fact that this baby died in Jay's care is a sad sad thing But i know for a fact that he could NOT have hurt this baby intentionally!!
For the last time.............The name lafferty is from the maternal Grandmother!
crazyks (anonymous) says…
You stated that she had been vomiting the night before. Then, if he was that concerned, he should have called 911. They would have taken her to the hospital, and with the mother right there at the house, she would have had a difficult time refusing treatment for her daughter, with the police there. They would have wanted to know why.
He wasn't familiar with the signs of abuse? Are you serious? It's on practically every street anymore, and it's certainly been publicized enough.
girlie04 (anonymous) says…
U know we all have after thoughts on situations that come up in our daily lives the "what if's" what if i had done this what if i had done that.U don't always do the right thing at the right time.But if it happens and a baby is hurt or die's we rush to judgement that every one should have known better the first time.Jay did everything that he know to do which was limited being a first time father and learning as u go when u are a first time parent.How is he to know that profuse vomiting is a sign of head trauma?I have 4 children myself I did not know this for a fact till recently I had to take one of my children to the ER for bump on his head from falling.Just for the record I hope this paper does the most up todate stories and accurate as possible from the trial.So ppl that don't know but think they know everything can catch up with reality....Jay is innocent of Murder ...Guilty of poor Parenting choices to say the least but don't ya think that when things don't come with instructions and u are trying to do ur best to learn the tricks of the trade.Things are going to happen accidentally or just from lack of skill.
There was just recently this last month a womens boyfriend was watching her baby about the same age as Risha.That some how got a pan of boiling water from the stove spilled on her body.Now how does that happen?When the child can't even sit up ..climbs on the stove and gets the pan? He was not charged with a dang thing u would think that would be a clear and cut case of murdering a child.What ppl in this case don't understand is that Jay was not with that baby the day b4 she died the mother was and that the time line of her going to work and Risha dying is so close it is unbelievable.So the trial starts in 11 days guess we will see how smart this jury is and how well these expert witnesses are for the Defense so that the jury can figure out that Jay is innocent for the murder of Risha.
crazyks (anonymous) says…
Just for the record, in case any more of you out there are totally clueless, ANY profuse vomiting, by a child or an adult, should head you straight to the ER. And profuse vomiting is not always caused by head trauma. There are many other causes that can be just as deadly.
momoftwo (anonymous) says…
ok well u werent there u dont know what exactly happened but u dont just run to the ER because ur child is vomiting. It would have to be some very serious vomiting to do that and for information sake, the # 1 sign of a more serious complication after head trauma is vomiting. This means that u know someone got hit on the head and they seemed ok but now they're vomiting... what do u do u call the doctor right away and go from there. Thats if you Know it happened!!! I just wish people would stop the insanity! NO ONE Knows what happened for sure except those directly involved, and GOD! As for all of the assumtions, there only exactly what they are assumptions!!! The mom has said that there was no abuse going on!!! So i dont understand why she gets to get up on the stand and tell this and get to have her hand slaped by our judicial system if they think that theyre was abouse going on what is she helping them with ???? No abuse People do u get that!!! this is what she has said, it's a matter of record!!!! But of course people seem to think they can go from what they read in sensationally written newspapers and broadcasts! Have u people forgotten that they make their money from u?
reginafliangie (anonymous) says…
I have a correction for girlie, you can take ANYONE to the ER and they HAVE to treat them, whether they are your family or not. I could pick a complete stranger off the street and take them to the ER if I felt they were in need of medical care. By law the hospital CAN NOT refuse to treat the person, reguardless of relationship, or insurance coverage.
Just FYI I did happen to take a neighborhood child to the hospital and they had no problem with that and treated the child. The parents of course were called, and so where the police since the parents weren't around.
So something sounds fishy with that part of your story. Sorry.
crazyks (anonymous) says…
I say again, vomiting can be caused by many other things besides head trauma. Why do you keep bringing up head trauma?
Even if it's only from the flu or some other illness, vomiting can dehydrate you very quickly, and you still should go to the ER. This is especially true of young children. They can get dehydrated much more quickly than an adult. And it doesn't have to be "serious" vomiting for dehydration to occur.
And if this child experienced "profuse" vomiting the night before, then he should have taken her to the ER. Unless, of course, he was afraid of what else they might find wrong with her...
Stop making excuses for him. He surely can't be that clueless about everything.
girlie04 (anonymous) says…
Hmm for ppl that think they know everything about things in this case u sure ask alot of questions crazyks.
Y do we keep bringing up head trauma? Because that is the determination of the coroner as the cause of death.So here we go again....In court on the day of the preliminary hearing the testimony of the mother in short form....Jay was not with Risha that whole day till about 2am Brandi had the honors of caring for Risha. then Jay came in the house and found Risha had thrown up all over her bed clothes and so he went about changing her, the bed and gettin her settled back into bed with Brandi and himself.Then Brandi gets up to go to work stated that Risha looked funny b4 she left and then 45 min later she is dead.As I have stated b4 this injury had time to bruise and bleed more than the time that Jay had been with the baby.And I am sorry to say for another thing there's gonna be more brought out in the trial to the fact of the mother making statements and other things i can't talk about right at the moment to the fact that she was going to get rid of this baby one way or another.
As a matter of fact I was in court one day for Jay after returning home i went to the store to get something to drink ran into a person that Brandi personally told this person that she was going to get rid of this baby one way or another and this was b4 Risha was even born.What kind of mother says those things? Does that make u wonder cuz it sure does me!!
reginafliangie (anonymous) says…
People go to the ER for hiccups, I kind you not. But crazy is right, babies and toddlers do dehydrate very quickly, so continuous vommiting and not drinking and no wet diapers are a sure sign of dehydration. That child should of been seen ASAP.
crazyks (anonymous) says…
It depends on the frequency, ottr. You CAN get dehydrated from vomiting, and that causes all kinds of serious problems, and can even be fatal.
People should use common sense. Looks to me like this guy didn't, even if he isn't guilty.
lizzyp13 (E. Hall) says…
I wish people who weren't involved would just stay out of it. One can only wish...
crazyks (anonymous) says…
Considering that it's a public trial, wish on...
lizzyp13 (E. Hall) says…
Too bad only one of us will be there.
OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
I'm guessing the child didn't have one responsible adult in her life. Anyone who was close to her who wasn't actively involved in the abuse should have been able to see what was happening. So, if "he" didn't "do" it, then why didn't "she" see it was happening? Conversely, if "she" didn't "do" it, then why didn't "he" see it was happening? Everyone involved is either guilty of abuse, or guilty of a sore lack of observational skills. Including relatives.
When a child has no one looking out for them, tragic things tend to happen. I'll never understand why it's so easy to get pregnant. The biggest FOOLS are the most fertile.
They should print the photos in LJW so we can all see what to look for.