Testimony began in the murder trial of Erica Bell today, after some legal concerns over the grandfather of victim Brooke Stagles sitting as a spectator in the courtroom.
John Geer may be called as a trial witness. Judge Christopher Ciaccio had ordered him to avoid court yesterday during the opening statements, but ruled he could stay today.
Erica Bell is accused of second degree murder for punching three-year-old Brooke Stagles in the stomach so hard that it ruptured her intestines and killed her three days later, and also with failing to get her medical help. Defense Attorney Lawrence Kasperek argued that a lay person wouldn’t understand the severity of those injuries and asked that the charge be reduced from second degree murder. The judge refused his motion.
Doctors then testified to the girl’s condition when she was finally brought to Strong Memorial Hospital and their efforts to save her, as well as the severity of her injuries and evidence of past injuries.