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02-02-2008, 01:44 PM
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Dad convicted of killing daughter, 17 months, over broken Xbox
MARYCLAIRE DALE The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA - A man who spent long hours each day playing video games was convicted Tuesday of killing his 17-month-old daughter when she pulled down his Xbox console. Jurors rejected arguments that Tyrone Spellman confessed to protect the child's mother. After a day of deliberation, they convicted Spellman of third-degree murder and child endangerment, which expose him to about 23 to 47 years in prison. Prosecutors believe he pummeled Alayiah Turman, cracking her skull several times, while her pregnant mother napped in another room on Sept. 7, 2006. They argued that Spellman fled the house afterward, and that the mother, Mia Turman, had no reason to go in the bedroom where the baby was found. "He (Spellman) spent six to seven hours a day in there playing Xbox," Assistant District Attorney James Berardinelli said. Spellman, 27, of Philadelphia, confessed to police the next day, but defense lawyer Bobby Hoof noted that his statement came after 24 hours in custody. "He's not happy with the verdict. He does not agree with the verdict, but he respects the jury verdict," Hoof said of Spellman. An autopsy showed that Alayiah had suffered a broken arm about two weeks before she died , an injury that city social workers did not see on two visits to the house in late August, when they found the baby well. The city took custody of the couple's second daughter, born after Alayiah's death. Alayiah was one of at least 20 children who died of abuse or neglect between 2003 and 2006 after coming to the attention of the Department of Human Services, The Philadelphia Inquirer has reported. The jury acquitted Spellman of first-degree murder. Sentencing is set for March 13, Hoof said He was charged with both. Giving the jury the option of 3rd Degree Murder if they could not find for 1st Degree.
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"Simply put it is possibe to have convenience if you want to tolerate insecurity, but if you want security, you must be prepared for inconvenience" General Benjamin W. Chidlaw December 12, 1954 
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02-02-2008, 01:50 PM
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__________________
"Simply put it is possibe to have convenience if you want to tolerate insecurity, but if you want security, you must be prepared for inconvenience" General Benjamin W. Chidlaw December 12, 1954
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