Archive for Monday, November 13, 2006
Trial underway in baby’s death
Jay Decker charged with killing daughter
November 13, 2006
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More about the trial
Jury selection started Monday morning in the second trial for a Lawrence man charged with the child-abuse killing of his 5-month-old daughter.
The first trial for Jay D. Decker, 27, ended in a mistrial this summer when a police interview surfaced that hadn't been sent to prosecutors. Decker is charged with killing Risha J. Lafferty, who was found dead with numerous head and upper-body injuries in October 2005 at Edgewood Homes, 1600 Haskell Ave.
The baby's mother, Brandi Mae Hendrickson, is a key witness in the case and is charged with child endangerment for failing to report the baby's injuries in the days leading up to the death. In Decker's first trial, defense attorneys sought to shift blame for the death to Hendrickson.
Witnesses say both the mother and father of a baby who died of child abuse last fall have unsavory incidents in their past involving abuse or rough handling of children.
Earlier this month, Judge Paula Martin ruled that testimony about those prior incidents can be used at the trial.
But Martin also ruled that Hendrickson could testify about a 2003 incident in Texas, in which she alleges Decker choked the couple's older child after he had been drinking.
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13 November 2006
at 1:53 p.m.
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srj (Anonymous) says…
This trial will be a mess. Brandi Hendrickson should serve the same amount of time he does.
13 November 2006
at 2:23 p.m.
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willie_wildcat (Anonymous) says…
Burn em both at the stake!
13 November 2006
at 4:02 p.m.
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sprango (Anonymous) says…
For what it's worth, I used to work with Brandi and when we talked about our children, she seemed like a genuinely caring mother.
13 November 2006
at 4:27 p.m.
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Bone777 (Anonymous) says…
Not worth much at this point, but thanks anyway.
13 November 2006
at 4:34 p.m.
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srj (Anonymous) says…
“But Martin also ruled that Hendrickson could testify about a 2003 incident in Texas, in which she alleges Decker choked the couple's older child after he had been drinking.”
And did she tell police before, or file a report? Maybe even break up with him? I tell you, the D.A. in this case probally has nightmares about this case.
13 November 2006
at 8:04 p.m.
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mommy3 (Anonymous) says…
How long did the baby go without medical care?