Friday, June 10, 2011

AMANDA BRUMFIELD: SHE MOVES FOR AN ACQUITTAL OR NEW TRIAL; ARGUES NO PROOF NEGLIGENCE CAUSED CHILD'S DEATH; ORLANDO SENTINEL;

"Brumfield was found not guilty on first-degree murder and aggravated child-abuse charges, records show. She is expected to face sentencing on the manslaughter charge in late July.

In a four-page motion, Brumfield's attorneys argue that the state failed to prove that the child died as a direct result of negligence by Brumfield.

Brumfield has maintained the girl was trying to climb out of a playpen and fell a short distance, hitting her head. The defense suggested the fall may have aggravated a previous injury, causing her death.

The prosecution argued it was impossible that a fall from that height caused a three-and-a-half-inchfracture on the back of the girl's skull and the bleeding and swelling found in her brain."

REPORTER JEFF WEINER; ORLANDO SENTINEL;

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"Amanda Brumfield, estranged daughter of Hollywood actor Billy Bob Thornton, is asking to have her recent conviction in the death of a friend's toddler tossed out, or to be given a new trial in the case,"
the Orlando Sentinel story by reporter Jeff Weiner published on June 10, 2011 under the heading, "Billy Bob Thornton's daughter asks for acquittal or new trial: Amanda Brumfield was convicted of aggravated manslaughter of a child last month."

"Records show Brumfield's attorneys renewed an earlier motion for acquittal or retrial on Monday. Brumfield was convicted on a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child last month,"
the story continues.

"Brumfield, 32, had faced a murder charge in the killing of her best friend's daughter during an overnight stay in October 2008. She claimed the death of 1-year-old Olivia Madison Garcia was an accident.

Brumfield was found not guilty on first-degree murder and aggravated child-abuse charges, records show. She is expected to face sentencing on the manslaughter charge in late July.

In a four-page motion, Brumfield's attorneys argue that the state failed to prove that the child died as a direct result of negligence by Brumfield.

Brumfield has maintained the girl was trying to climb out of a playpen and fell a short distance, hitting her head. The defense suggested the fall may have aggravated a previous injury, causing her death.

The prosecution argued it was impossible that a fall from that height caused a three-and-a-half-inchfracture on the back of the girl's skull and the bleeding and swelling found in her brain.

The new motion also argues that the state failed to prove that more prompt medical treatment could have saved the child. Investigators said Brumfield didn't call for help until about two hours after the injury.

The verdict was handed down May 27. Records show Brumfield is being held in the Orange County Jail as she awaits sentencing."

The story can be found at:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/crime/os-billy-bob-daughter-new-trial-20110610,0,5471670.story

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at:

http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith

Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:

http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html

Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;