State v. Jones

Ronald Hampton Jones appeals his conviction and sentence for manslaughter in the first degree. He argues that expert opinion evidence on the victim's cause of death improperly invaded the province of the jury, and that the trial court erred in imposing an exceptional sentence based on the vulnerability of the victim. We affirm.

On September 13, 1988, Jones babysat his 4-month-old son, Kaylon, while his wife Phyllis was at work. Kaylon appeared normal and healthy when Phyllis left for work. Jones called Phyllis around 4:15 p.m., however, and reported that Kaylon had stopped breathing.

Medics…