A jury of nine women and five men are in a Hardin County courtroom hearing testimony that could result in the death penalty for a man charged in the death of a 4-year-old girl.
BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
Prosecutors say Jason Wade Delacerda, 40, of Kountze, killed his girlfriend’s daughter, Breonna Nichol Loftin, in 2011. His girlfriend, Amanda Nichole Guidry, is also charged in the girl’s death. Her trial has not yet been set. According to 12News file stories, the little girl died at the hospital. She had burns, bruises and broken ribs. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
TESTIMONY FROM TUESDAY
An attorney for Jason Wade Delacerda did not offer opening statements Tuesday morning. Ryan Getz said he will rely on the jury to find evidence presented by the prosecution as too weak for a conviction. He asked the judge to “limit the scope” of questioning during the trial saying questions about the condition of the child at the hospital have nothing to do with how the child's injuries contributed to her death. Judge Steven Thomas denied Gertz’s request to restrict the evidence.
The first witness to take the stand was emergency room physician Dr. Charles Owen. He testified that the child had multiple bruises, scabs and broken bones. He said there were signs of pushpins pressed into the victim’s forehead. The defense objected to the prosecution’s presentation of this evidence, saying it was not related to the child’s death. Judge Thomas overruled the objection.
Hardin County Sheriff’s Office Captain Gary Spears took the stand. He described seeing the child’s injuries while at the hospital. While Capt. Spears was on the stand, prosecutors played an audio recording of an interview with the defendant that was made as part of the investigation. Delacerda is heard on the tape saying that the burns could have been caused by a cigarette, but denied knowing how it could have happened. Delacerda’s voice on the tape is also heard saying that Breonna’s leg and head injuries were caused by a trampoline accident. Delacerda said her burns were caused by hot coffee.
Testimony is set to continue tomorrow morning.
