TheLastManInAmerica

A baby killed by a microwave?! That has to be one of the most horrible means of death I’ve ever heard. And unfortunately, it had to happen to an infant. But to think that the child’s own mother may be responsible! Well, that’s just what prosecutors in Dayton, Ohio are trying to prove in the case of China Arnold, a 28 year-old woman accused of aggravated murder in the death of her child, whose retrial began in earnest today with jury selection. In February the original trial was called off when the judge heard testimony from a juvenile that could validate the defendant’s plea of “not guilty.” Added to that is some evidence that her defense team believes proves her innocent of killing her baby in the microwave. But I believe that no matter what the juvenile’s testimony proves or whatever the defense’s game plan is that the woman is still responsible for the child’s death.

            Perhaps the most heinous act anyone could commit is murdering of one’s own child. And until February 11^th of this year, China Arnold was on trial for just that. According to the prosecution’s witnesses, she admitted killing her month-old baby in the microwave. And while Arnold did not testify, defense witnesses say they were told by the 28 year-old that she had no part in the baby’s death. And just as closing arguments were set to begin on February 11^th, Judge John Kessler declared a mistrial after privately hearing the testimony of a juvenile who claimed to be at the apartment on the night in question and corroborated the defense’s plea of innocence.

            The judge did not give details but a local newspaper reported that a man told defense attorneys that his five year-old was the one who found the baby in the microwave and the boy is said to have identified another child as being the one responsible. This bodes well with the defense’s claim that other people had access to the baby. Her attorneys are also saying that she was intoxicated to the point of blacking out at the time of the baby’s death.

            No matter what, it’s obvious China Arnold is responsible for the baby’s death, whether directly or indirectly remains to be seen. It’s a little odd, however, this five year-old boy who supposedly found the baby and pulled it from the microwave wasn’t known of until the closing arguments. Did nobody notice this little child wandering around the apartment? Well, I suppose if a child can be put to death by microwave without anyone noticing, this isn’t too far-fetched. But what about the police report? Did they not ask who found the child? Did the police report that the mother was intoxicated to the point of blacking out? Maybe the defense is just hoping to present evidence that will allow them to plead the charges down. That’s not a bad idea. She faces the death penalty if convicted and if so, she should probably cook for it. But if they plead down, perhaps she’ll get a more lenient sentence, like being beaten to death by all those bitter moms in prison who would love to spend just five minutes with their children.    

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