Court Lets Stand Ruling Overturning Shaken-Baby Conviction
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has refused to review a ruling that found new evidence has cast doubt on shaken-baby syndrome.
The appellate ruling, issued in February, granted a new trial to former day care provider Audrey Edmunds, who was found guilty of reckless homicide in 1996 for the shaking death of 7-month-old Natalie Beard.
The supreme court court turned down the case on Monday by a 5-1 vote, the Associated Press reports.
The appeals court said in its Jan. 31 opinion (PDF) that new medical research has cast doubt on Edmunds’ guilt. Some experts now doubt that babies can be killed by shaking alone, and some believe injuries that appear to be caused by shaking can be due to other factors.
The competing theories should be aired at a new trial, the court said.
