GUILTY WA - Summer Lytle, 4, tortured to death, Spokane, 10 March 2007

[Taximom]

Here's the reporter's response regarding the trial date:

HI *****,
RIGHT NOW THE COURT SCHEDULE SHOWS MISTER AND
MISUS LYTLE TRIAL STARTING IN October OF 2008.

Jeff Humphrey
Reporter | KXLY 4 News
509.220.9001 | [email protected]

That was nice of him to return my email!

 

[believe09]

Really nice, and excellent job!

 

[SewingDeb]

October 2008. Thanks for getting the information Taximom.

 

[Taximom]

This little girl will never leave my heart.

Father seeks to move trial out of Spokane:
http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=8132253

The counsel for defense points to publicity - and a lot of it - as to why Lytle can't receive a fair trial in Spokane. They argue that four-year-old Summer Phelps has become a poster child for abuse and when prospective jurors see the little girl they automatically think about alleged torture at the hands of her parents.
(Judge Taximom: Denied. Next?)

Jonathan Lytle is currently at Eastern State Hospital where he's undergoing a mental health evaluation. His attorneys are hoping doctors will find him was too mentally ill to know that abusing Summer could lead to her death.
"It is a hard thing to prove because in effect the law requires, as I understand it, intention as one element of the commission of a crime. The argument has been that certain mental states prohibits individual's ability to form intention," clinical psychologist Dr. Paul Domitor said.
(Judge Taximom: Denied. Next?)

Grrrrrr, more at link.

Retarded, my @$$. :furious: :behindbar

 

[JanetElaine]

This little girl will never leave my heart.

Father seeks to move trial out of Spokane:
http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=8132253

The counsel for defense points to publicity - and a lot of it - as to why Lytle can't receive a fair trial in Spokane. They argue that four-year-old Summer Phelps has become a poster child for abuse and when prospective jurors see the little girl they automatically think about alleged torture at the hands of her parents.
(Judge Taximom: Denied. Next?)

Jonathan Lytle is currently at Eastern State Hospital where he's undergoing a mental health evaluation. His attorneys are hoping doctors will find him was too mentally ill to know that abusing Summer could lead to her death.
"It is a hard thing to prove because in effect the law requires, as I understand it, intention as one element of the commission of a crime. The argument has been that certain mental states prohibits individual's ability to form intention," clinical psychologist Dr. Paul Domitor said.
(Judge Taximom: Denied. Next?)

Grrrrrr, more at link.

Retarded, my @$$. :furious: :behindbar

I will never blame an attorney who defends the biggest crook - because I believe everyone has the right to have their basic rights looked out for (right to a fair trial and all). The thing is though - these attorneys were supposed to keep an eye on the legal process and make sure everything went according to the law. *Not* to mangle the truth. And that is the kind of attorney I *will* blame, and detest. As is the case here and in 99% of all cases involving crooks.

So he can't get a fair trial because people will immediately think of the 'alleged abuse and torture', but he needs to also be found mentally incompetent to prove he didn't know that abusing Summer was wrong.

Doncha love it when they contradict themselves. :furious:

And cry me a damn river. :boohoo: :behindbar

 

[Reannan]

Anyone who didn't think torture and abuse when they see a picture of little Summer, needs to have a mental evaluation done more so than that sperm donor. :furious:

 

[SewingDeb]

From Taximom's link above:


The defense has already suggested that Lytle could be mentally retarded and that's a mental state that could keep him from forming intent and that's another question that will be answered out at Eastern State Hospital.

The pre-trial motion for Jonathan Lytle will most likely be argued in Spokane Superior Court in May.

 

[SewingDeb]

Does anyone know if Jonathon Lytle is considered mentally challenged by his acquaintances? Just curious if that is an accepted fact in the community or just something his attorney is dreaming up for his defense.

 

[Taximom]

SewingDeb, I followed this case pretty closely when it first happened. Reading yesterday that he might be considered mentally retarded was a shock to me. I can't remember if he was employed or not, or what that job might have been. He was married to this witch though and had just had a child with her. I'd like to see what Summer's bio mom has to say about Jonathan Lytle being retarded.

 

[SewingDeb]

I would like to hear what she has to say as well. Did they ever find her?

 

[Taximom]

Ah, Jonathan is competent enough to think he's not competent enough to stand trial for what he did to his precious daughter.
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=14887
The 29-year-old Lytle was sent to Eastern State Hospital on March 31, and his mental evaluation has been conducted and returned to Superior Court Judge Michael Price.
While those test results weren't divulged in open court, it appears that state psychiatrists and psychologists determined Lytle is mentally competent to aid in his own defense and stand trial. (much more and current pic at link)


His trial is scheduled for 9/8/08 and that can't come soon enough for me.

 

[SewingDeb]

Why won't he sign the waiver? Just stubborness or is this his attorney's advice?

 

[Liz]

Snippet from SpokesmanReview.com

Records say dead girl had been disciplined with shock collar, beatings

March 13, 2007

A 4-year-old Spokane girl stopped breathing in the bathtub Saturday night as her resentful stepmother left her alone to cook an anniversary meal for the girl's father, according to court records.

Summer Lytle's death ended a pattern of abuse that included a dog's shock collar, burns to her face, a bite mark and extensive bruising, according to court records.

Charged with Summer's death are her father, 28-year-old Jonathan D. Lytle and her stepmother, 32-year-old Adriana L. Lytle. Both remain in the Spokane County Jail on a $500,000 bond each for the charge of homicide by abuse.

Continued at http://SR.com


How sick are these people that can treat a child so horribly!? Her father actually tooke a smoke break outside, after administering CPR, but before taking her to the hospital!

I was brought to tears when I heard the 5 o'clock news about what this poor little girl had to endure in her short life. I feel certain she is in a much better place now. Rest in peace, sweet little angel, Summer!

Just heard on the 6 o'clock news that Adriana Lytle is supposed to plead guilty to the charges against her. Her public defender said that Adriana was a victim of abuse herself and didn't know how to parent any other way.

Not sure if she is going to testify against her husband, Summer's father, when he goes to trial.

 

[Liz]

Here's a link about Adriana pleading guilty:
http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=8384854

Taximom - According to the article, Jonathan (Summer's father) has been found competant to stand trial.

 

[Taximom]

Liz, thank you so much for the info. She'll be getting at least the mandatory minimum of 20 yrs, right? The judge may impose more?

I wonder too if she'll testify against Jonathan.

They brutalized this precious little girl. I think LWOP should be mandatory for both.

 

[Liz]

You're welcome, Taximom.

I believe they reported that she will get at least 20 years. (I'm thinking it's a plea bargain and if that's the case, I'm not sure the judge can impose more, but I don't know for sure.)

Testifying against Jonathan was still a question mark.

I agree these crimes against this poor child were really horrific and brutal.
One of the most sickening I'd ever read about.

 

[Taximom]

Adriana Lytle's plea hearing postponed
http://www.kxly.com/global/story.asp?s=8435417
Adriana Lytle accuses her husband Jon of inflicting the injuries that caused Summer's death and so Thursday she still had some misgivings about pleading guilty.
She had hoped to have a few moments to have her questions addressed before the hearing got underway, but was unable and asked that the proceedings be postponed. The hearing will now be held July 21st.
Whaley said every indication from his client was that she was not backing out of the agreed guilty plea but, rather, she wanted to be fully aware of the ramifications of her decision before rushing into a plea. (more plus video and pic at link)

Awww, poor Adriana. Little Summer wasn't given a plea hearing now, was she?

 

[Liz]

Here's a link to KXLY's story on this case dated June 8th
http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=8435417&nav=menu683_1

I hope & pray Adriana is not going to back out from her guilty plea!

ETA: Disgusting account of what happened the day Summer died
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/ourkids/stories/?ID=178893

Adriana ought to get the death penalty or life!

 

[gaia227]

A lot of people think I am wrong for thinking this but it does not make a lot of sense to me that in order to adopt a child a person must go through a pretty rigorous process to become approved yet anyone can have a child. Any crackhead, any child molestor, any abusive psychopath has the right to have a child. I truly believe this should be changed. In order to be approved to become pregnant and give birth you must go through a process much like the adoption process, drug tested, psychological tests, parenting courses, etc, in an attempt to stop people like these pieces of trash, waste of space, worthless human beings from procreating and inflicting their misery upon others.
In NYC we had a case similar to this - Nixmary Brown who was tortured, tied up, starved and eventually beaten to death by her mother and step-father. Another example of people who should have never been allowed to have children.......or allowed to even exist in the first place.

 

[Taximom]

I agree, gaia, but I'm not sure it would have helped in this case. Jonathan was her father, and her bio-mom was out of the picture (IIRC due to drugs?). It seems Summer just had no chance.