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Couple faces murder charges in infant's death
4 Mar
Summary
- An Ottawa couple is on trial for second-degree murder in a seven-week-old boy's death.
- The mother also faces a criminal negligence charge causing death.
- Officers described bruising on the infant and a change in skin tone.
The joint trial of Boravy Buth and Patrick O'Connor, accused in the death of a seven-week-old boy, commenced on Tuesday at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Both are charged with second-degree murder, and Buth also faces a criminal negligence charge. The couple has pleaded not guilty. The Crown alleges the infant died from an attack on Oct. 26, 2021.
Officers responding to a call about a non-breathing infant reported observing bruising on the child and a significant change in skin tone during resuscitation attempts. The mother provided an account of the baby falling from a bed earlier that morning. The infant was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
The trial is expected to last eight weeks, with the prosecution presenting its case through witness testimonies, including the initial responding officers. The defense lawyers are preparing to counter the allegations presented by the Crown.
