Saturday, May 18, 2013

The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Jury hands down guilty, not guilty verdicts in Richter trial
Posted: 03.13.2013 at 12:15 PM
Updated: 03.13.2013 at 5:50 PM
Mark Slavit

Mark Slavit is the Columbia Bureau chief and the Mid-Missouri Traveler.

0
Photo
The jury has found Shelly Richter GUILTY of endangering the welfare of a child and NOT GUILTY of child abuse.

The jury was in deliberation for five and a half hours at the trial of a Cole County woman accused of shaking a baby at her home daycare in August 2010. Closing arguments wrapped up just before noon on Wednesday.

Wednesday morning, Richter took the stand in her own defense.

In the third day of her trial, Richter told the jury she never “shook, slammed or struck” Lane Schaefer. Richter described how Lane accidently fell.

Richter also said she called a neighbor, who had a background in nursing, right after the incident. The neighbor testified Wednesday morning. She said when she came over and saw Lane on the ground, unresponsive; they called 9-1-1. The neighbor testified that Richter was crying and couldn’t talk to the dispatcher, so she had to.

A licensed, but retired, doctor from Minnesota also testified Wednesday morning. He said Lane’s injuries were consistent with a single fall and not Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Earlier this week, the prosecution called several doctors. They all testified that Lane’s injuries were from Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Lane’s mother also testified this week. She narrated a video of Lane in therapy. She said Lane, who is now 3-years-old, is blind, can't walk and has little use of his left side.

The maximum prison time possible is seven years.

Related Links

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Blair Oaks student to graduate two months after crash
Juliette Dryer  |  Yesterday at 8:00 AM  |  4 comments
Thumbnail
Sword-wielding man arrested
Yesterday at 8:25 AM  |  4 comments
Thumbnail
Man robbed while selling EBT card
Yesterday at 9:43 AM  |  2 comments
Follow Connect Mid-Missouri
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Community Connection
Participate in great causes in the community!
Relay For Life of Cole County
Friday, June 7, at 6 p.m. at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds
ADVERTISEMENT