State v. Stevens

BURDICK, Justice.

Appellant Edward Stevens appeals from his conviction for first-degree murder and the denial of his motion for a new trial. We affirm.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Eleven month old Casey Whiteside died on December 27, 1996, from a fatal head injury. Stevens, Casey’s mother’s boyfriend, was caring for him at the time Casey sustained the head injury. Stevens was charged with murder in the first degree for killing Casey during the course of committing aggravated battery. Although Stevens claimed that he fell asleep and awoke to find Casey unresponsive on the hardwood floor…