By Trend News Line 2024-04-15 23:16:20.
Witness for the Defense Testifies in Trial Over Death of Four-Year-Old
A witness for the defense in the trial over the death of four-year-old Benjamin Cervera testified on Monday that there was no positive evidence of starvation based on his evaluation. Dr. William Anderson, a board-certified pathologist, testified that Cervera’s autopsy failed to mention key flags of starvation, including fatty liver, brown fat, and myocyte degradation — damage to heart muscle fiber. Anderson testified via Zoom from his home in Florida and was the first witness in the defense of Miranda Casarez, who stands accused of seriously injuring the boy by starving him.
You may also like to watch : Who Is Kamala Harris? Biography - Parents - Husband - Sister - Career - Indian - Jamaican Heritage
Discrepancies in Autopsy Findings
Dr. Kimberly Molina, the Bexar County chief medical examiner, previously ruled that starvation killed Cervera and classified it as a homicide over two years ago. Casarez and Brandon Cervera Sr., the boy’s stepmother and father, were arrested for causing the death. However, Anderson disagreed with Molina’s interpretation of the autopsy findings, stating that the death was caused by something else. He mentioned that the swelling of the brain, specifically cerebral edema, occurred quickly and was the mechanism of death.
Challenges to the State’s Case
Prosecutors challenged Anderson’s testimony, stating that he had not reviewed the child’s complete medical history and had never physically examined the body. Anderson was one of several experts who testified aimed at poking holes in the state’s case last week. Miranda Casarez’s attorney, Anthony Cantrell, argued that Molina’s determination of homicide was biased based on misinformation from the San Antonio police Department. He claimed that crucial information regarding Child Protective Services’ involvement with the family was not provided to the medical examiners.
Testimony from Benjamin’s Brother
During the trial, Benjamin’s brother, referred to as “BC” by the court, testified that their stepmother physically abused the four-year-old by intentionally dropping him and making him consume hot sauce and hand sanitizer. Cantrell, representing Casarez, emphasized that his client was not a monster and had made genuine efforts to care for the child.
Defense’s Opening Statement
In his opening statement to the jury, Cantrell portrayed Casarez as someone who tried hard to take care of the child and denied any malicious intent. The defense team aimed to challenge the prosecution’s case by highlighting inconsistencies in the evidence presented and raising doubts about the accuracy of the autopsy findings.
You may also like to watch: Is US-NATO Prepared For A Potential Nuclear War With Russia - China And North Korea?
The trial over the tragic death of Benjamin Cervera continues, with both sides presenting their arguments and evidence to the court. The proceedings are expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the young boy’s passing and determine the accountability of those involved. As the case unfolds, the search for justice for Benjamin remains at the forefront of the legal proceedings..
– Defense witness challenges medical examiner in San Antonio trial over death of 4-year-old boy
– Defense witness challenges medical examiner in San Antonio trial over death of young child.
