GUILTY NY - Garnett Spears, 5, dies of salt poisoning, Chestnut Ridge, 23 Jan 2014

[K_Z]

Summary of Thursday's court proceedings:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/05/defense-portrays-lacey-spears/22956277/

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2015/02/05/lacey-spears-murder-trial/22931277/

 

[borndem]

Or it was just too much trouble.....or something. She moved around so much, yet she must have at least had a few "new patient" appointments for Garnett as she moved around. Or maybe she bought his tube feed bags and supplies off the internet, or a support group on the web that trades medical equipment. Would be interesting to see what is documented in Garnett's medical records from all over-- AL to FL to NY.

But yeah-- the "I'm a Mormon and don't vaccinate" is a whole new lie for us to hear about.

Off topic-- do Mormons shun vaccinations? Anyone know? IDK-- never heard that before. Is it a Lacey Lie, or is there a kernel of truth there? (Though I never read anywhere that she was or claimed to be Mormon till she told this to the ER nurse.)

bbm
I am not Mormon -- never have been, but this "new lie" (our new vocabulary word -- I love it!) did raise my eyebrows. If there is a Mormon out there, please correct me if I am wrong or off base -- but as soon as I saw that statement, I flew to google and read a few articles about "Mormons and vaccinations" which is the search topic I used. I saw more than one article that talked about how their missions took them to places where they helped vaccinate children & families, another about how the LDS church has given a lot of money over to financing vaccinations, etc., and had been for years. So that was enuff for me. Again, I beg anyone who knows differently to please chime in on this because I, except for the research I just did, know nothing about Mormons and vaccinations. FWIW.

 

[K_Z]

It seems interest in Lacey's trial is waning. Lee Higgins (LoHud reporter) tweeted that he was the only reporter in attendance today.

https://twitter.com/LeeHiggins

 

[K_Z]

bbm
I am not Mormon -- never have been, but this "new lie" (our new vocabulary word -- I love it!) did raise my eyebrows. If there is a Mormon out there, please correct me if I am wrong or off base -- but as soon as I saw that statement, I flew to google and read a few articles about "Mormons and vaccinations" which is the search topic I used. I saw more than one article that talked about how their missions took them to places where they helped vaccinate children & families, another about how the LDS church has given a lot of money over to financing vaccinations, etc., and had been for years. So that was enuff for me. Again, I beg anyone who knows differently to please chime in on this because I, except for the research I just did, know nothing about Mormons and vaccinations. FWIW.

I'm guessing it was just another "Lacey Lie" told to the nurse. She strikes me as a pathological liar that makes up lies on the fly, even when there is no need for a lie. (Like Casey Anthony-- she lied about anything and everything, all the time.)

Like the "Blake the Soulmate" story-- it was so unnecessary. All she would have had to do to answer any questions about Garnett's father was to just look somber and say something like "It's really personal, and I'd rather not talk about it." All her lies are crafted to bring maximum attention and sympathy to her.

And all those tears as court started the first day struck me as "poor me, I got caught, and here I am on trial for murder" tears.

 

[Curiosum]

From the above links, Dr. Jennifer Canter of Maria Fareri Hospital is expected to testify. She is a pediatric child abuse expert. (Judge Neary will not allow witnesses to be recorded, but I'm hopeful maybe a local reporter will attend and tweet the case.)

More on Dr. Jennifer Canter and her involvement in Garnett's case (from last June):

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/2014/06/22/hospitals-child-abuse-expert-records-death/11231131/



And she's a mom of 4-- two sets of twins. (wow!)

http://www.workingmother.com/mom-stories/dr-jennifer-canter039-prescription-balance

And she blogs-- so understands the online posting situation Lacey conducted during Garnett's life.

http://www.workingmother.com/blogs/playdates-dr-jen



I think she will be an excellent witness.

Oh-- and I read that jury selection resumes Thursday, so likely no news today.

Dr. Canter is great advocate for kids without a voice so, I have no doubt she will do well with this. *No, I don't have any inside information on this case, our professional paths crossed earlier in my career and while I kind of suspected she might be involved in this from an abuse assessment just based on the location I didn't know for sure until I read this.*

 

[TupeloMz]

Just got caught up on this thread.
Rip dear Garnett and may justice be served for you.
Thanks to everyone for all your information thus far.
Will there be court today?

 

[K_Z]

Will there be court today?

Snipped & BBM above, and BBM below.

Teejan Wojohk, chief technologist at United Neuro Diagnostic Services, who was called to the stand by prosecutors Thursday, positively identified the video after prosecutors pulled it up on television screens. It wasn't played yet for the jury.

Anticipating the video was to be shown, one woman juror whispered to another, "Put your helmet on." The trial resumes Monday morning.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/05/defense-portrays-lacey-spears/22956277/

 

[TupeloMz]

Thank you K_Z

 

[K_Z]

Prosecutors introduced cell phone activity to the jury on Thursday, arguing that searches about 'dangers of high sodium' and 'hypernatremia' carried out nine days before her son's death proves she planned the attack.

But Spears' attorneys told the jury that the searches were evidence that Spears loved her child, and wanted to know what was wrong with him.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...vealed-stands-trial-murder.html#ixzz3QzGokswu


BBM. Nine days before Garnett's death would have been about 4-5 days before he was ADMITTED to Nyack hospital. And supposedly, Garnett had not had an episode of hypernatremia since the one documented when he was an infant. Coupled with the recovered feeding tube bag described as having "massive" salt concentration, that is pretty damning evidence, IMO.

I am so glad that the woman Lacey asked to dispose of the feeding tube bag was alert and suspicious that something was very wrong, and called police to turn over the bag, and told the story of LS calling her to get rid of it. Bless that woman for her honesty and her courage and willingness to act. Without that piece of evidence, and Lacey asking the neighbor to get rid of it, this case would be so much more difficult to try, IMO. I am grateful to this woman for the sake of this little boy, who probably doesn't have many supporters sitting on his side of the court room gallery.

I just hope the defense doesn't try to say that the neighbor "planted" the salt in the feeding tube bag, or tampered with it before turning it over to police-- but I suppose they will have to insert somewhere for reasonable doubt. I also read that investigators found a lot of different kinds of salt in Lacey's apartment, too.

 

[LinasK]

Snipped & BBM above, and BBM below.



http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/05/defense-portrays-lacey-spears/22956277/

From the above article: Garnett had surgery at 1 month old to correct what Spears told friends was acid reflux. A feeding tube was later inserted in his abdomen, allowing doctors, nurses — and Spears — to administer nutrients because, she said, he'd go days without eating and couldn't keep food down.


I call BS on this! My daughter was born with acid reflux, which she didn't outgrow, and it's been 13 years. First of all, we couldn't even get a diagnosis of GERD made on her until she was 10 mo. old, and had already had a Barium x-ray. Second, the treatment isn't a feeding tube! It's medication. You mix it in their applesauce.

 

[cocomod]

bbm
I am not Mormon -- never have been, but this "new lie" (our new vocabulary word -- I love it!) did raise my eyebrows. If there is a Mormon out there, please correct me if I am wrong or off base -- but as soon as I saw that statement, I flew to google and read a few articles about "Mormons and vaccinations" which is the search topic I used. I saw more than one article that talked about how their missions took them to places where they helped vaccinate children & families, another about how the LDS church has given a lot of money over to financing vaccinations, etc., and had been for years. So that was enuff for me. Again, I beg anyone who knows differently to please chime in on this because I, except for the research I just did, know nothing about Mormons and vaccinations. FWIW.

I am an active LDS mother (a "Mormon"). It is definitely NOT against our religion to vaccinate. Our religion has NO medical standards such as this. And, ALL of my children are vaccinated!! Definitely a lie. Most likely a lie that she is a Mormon at all. If she did go to church, it is only because our members are very welcoming and very compassionate. We often help our fellow ward members or even just neighbors and friends with meals, groceries, etc. when they are in need. She would have found a lot of attention and help as a single mom if she did find out anything about our church. HTH

 

[K_Z]

Thank you for weighing in on that "Lacey Lie", cocomod. Appreciate your insights!

I had never heard that about Mormons/ LDS either, and it's helpful to have confirmation from someone knowledgeable about the faith.

 

[K_Z]

(Read from the bottom up.)

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 1h 1 hour ago
Video clips shown earlier of responsive Garnett were recorded 5 days before he was pronounced dead. #LaceySpears trial.

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 1h 1 hour ago
Forensic photographer Keith Mancini was testifying earlier. He reduced more than 40 hours of EEG footage to about 2.

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 2h 2 hours ago
Last week, another juror said, "This is ridiculous," as defense lawyer David Sachs went over #LaceySpears phone records in detail.

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 2h 2 hours ago
EEG video clips show Garnett is responsive to medical staff when examined Jan. 18, 2014. Other videos haven't been shown yet #LaceySpears

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 2h 2 hours ago
#LaceySpears trial: Prosecutors show video clips of Garnett at Nyack Hospital on Jan. 18, 2014. Garnett in bed, moving around on his own.

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 2h 2 hours ago
#LaceySpears: Judge tells jurors not to discuss case after Riebling notes quote in @lohud about juror telling another "Keep your helmet on."

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 2h 2 hours ago
#LaceySpears' lawyer Stephen Riebling expresses concern to judge that jurors have been making comments to each other.

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 2h 2 hours ago
#LaceySpears trial: Judge Robert Neary excuses alternate juror who called and said she couldn't make it because of icy conditions.

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 4h 4 hours ago
#LaceySpears trial might not get going until this afternoon. Huge line to get through court security because of delayed opening.

https://twitter.com/LeeHiggins

 

[K_Z]

Jurors in the trial of a mother accused of killing her son with salt injections saw graphic video Monday that showed the boy retching and suffering just days before he died.

The footage was among 40 videos played by prosecutors in the trial of Lacey Spears, a "mommy blogger" who documented her son's failing health online in tens of thousands of entries over his short lifetime.

The videos seen in court show the boy's shocking decline just days before his death, according to the Journal-News. While Garrett appeared alert and responsive in the beginning of his stay on Jan. 18, his condition deteriorated by the next day, when his salt levels spiked and he was transferred to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Valhalla, New York. He died there Jan. 23, 2014.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/10/lacey-spears-salt-poisoning_n_6652002.html

Assistant District Attorney Christine Hatfield played part of the 21-minute clip in slow motion, showing the boy's mother, Lacey Spears, walking in front of the camera of an EEG machine, set up to monitor the boy's brain activity, and carrying a cup and thin piece of equipment on her way to the bathroom.

Spears is on trial in White Plains, charged with killing her son.

Minutes after she lifted her son back into bed, he can be seen keeled over as she walks around the foot of his bed and doesn't immediately tend to him. When a nurse comes to check on him, his mother rubs his back.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2015/02/09/spears-trial-garnett-hospital-video/23148687/

 

[K_Z]

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 2h 2 hours ago
Waiting for court to open. True crime writer John Glatt is here, as is Spears' sister Rebecca and several others. #LaceySpears trial.

Lee Higgins @LeeHiggins
· 3h 3 hours ago
At day 5 of #LaceySpears trial. Expecting cross-examination of prosecution witness, forensic photographer Keith Mancini.

https://twitter.com/leehiggins

 

[K_Z]

In one clip shared with the jury, Spears is seen walking Garrett to the bathroom while holding his feeding tube, which prosecutors suspect she used in poisoning him.

Once they return to his hospital room, Garrett is seen writhing in pain on his bed while Spears waits for a nurse.

Jurors also watched video taken January 19, 2014 in which five hospital staffers surround Garrett as he screams out in agony, though no audio is available.

Spears reportedly began weeping during the videos. Two jurors were also seen wiping away tears, according to reports.

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2015/02/mommy-blogger-trial-video-reveals-lethal-salt-injection/

 

[K_Z]

Trial has wrapped up for today;

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2015/02/10/lacey-spears-murder-trial/23169637/

The Lacey Spears murder trial has wrapped up for the day after the defense completed its cross examination of a forensic photographer who edited video shot in Garnett Spears' hospital room days before his death.

The photographer testified that a 21-minute video was edited so it does not show Garnett Spears speaking to his mother right before she gets out of bed to take him to the bathroom.

Defense lawyer Stephen Riebling, during his cross-examination, also noted that Keith Mancini's edited video cut out a portion that shows Garnett gesturing as if he needed to use the toilet.

Mancini acknowledged that he did not photograph Garnett's hospital room or bathroom. The video came from a camera on Garnett's EEG machine.

Mancini testified he had no idea how many times Garnett went to bathroom that day, Jan. 19, 2014.

"I just know he walked off the camera," he told the defense attorney.

 

[TupeloMz]

Thank you K_Z for all your information.

 

[K_Z]

Day six of the trial resumes at 2 p.m. Wednesday with medical testimony expected.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2015/02/10/lacey-spears-murder-trial/23169637/

Nothing yet today on the twitter accounts of either of the 2 LoHud reporters who have followed this case (Lee Higgins and Hoa Nguyen). If they stayed on time in court according to the article, court resumed only about an hour ago on east coast time. Will check later today for any updates.

I'm looking forward to the testimony of the medical experts.

 

[TupeloMz]

I can find no updates or information for today.