People v. Barela

STERNBERG, Judge.

The defendant, Bernadette Barela, was charged with manslaughter and felony child abuse, and her husband, Jesse Barela, was charged with felony child abuse following the death of their infant son, Adam. Following a joint jury trial, defendant was convicted of both charges and sentenced to concurrent four year terms of imprisonment. Defendant’s husband was convicted of felony child abuse. Defendant appeals, and we reverse and remand for a new trial.

Adam, born several weeks prematurely, suffered from hyaline membrane disease, which impeded his breathing and necessitated his…