Late Tuesday evening, less than a week after Samantha Green, 23, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in three-week-old baby Justice Rees’ death, prosecutors filed a complaint to up to the charge to murder. Deputy District Attorney Ryan Couzens wrote that “the evidence will support the charges reflected.”
A hearing will be held at 8:30 a.m. Friday to address the prosecution’s motion. The DA’s Office is not commenting on the case due to a gag order issued Tuesday.
Green also had been charged with abusing or endangering the health of a child, with an enhancement for infliction of great bodily injury upon a child under 5 years old. She pleaded not guilty to all charges and her bail had been set at $250,000.
The Public Defender’s Office, which is representing Green, filed a motion Monday for a change of plea, which will also be addressed Friday.