People v. Person

Defendant Person was charged with the second-degree murder of his 14-month-old son, who died of a brain hemorrhage with contributing factors having been hematomata in the buttocks and thighs, as testified to by the pathologist. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The prosecution introduced a confession of the defendant wherein he admitted striking the decedent with his open hand and with a belt. The jury found defendant guilty of manslaughter * and he was sentenced to a prison term of 5 to 15 years.

Defendant argues on appeal that the verdict was against the substantial weight of the evidence; that…