Persia Nelson came before Judge Matthew Sypniewski in Schenectady County Court, Schenectady, New York (WNYT).
The status update was brief. Due to a conflict at the public defender’s office, private criminal defense lawyer Mark Sacco agreed to take on this case in October. Sacco informed the judge that he possesses the necessary materials.
Nelson is charged with causing the death of Halo Branton, her daughter, who was nine months old, in March.
Sacco stated, “I would like to make a small correction to the record on that.” It’s not a monster, my client. She made a grave mistake and committed an act that is universally acknowledged as a great tragedy. However, she didn’t kill anyone.
According to authorities, the infant died from exposure and hypothermia after being placed into a utility tunnel on the General Electric property, where it was partially covered in water.
Nelson faces charges of manslaughter, murder, and endangering a child’s welfare.
She was at a party, a family party, with all really good people, I believe, when the facts are revealed. “I believe what happened and what I think the evidence will show in the case is that she got disoriented and ended up in a wooded area after she got upset after drinking too much that night,” he added. “I think she was new to the area.”
You can somewhat see how something like this can occur if you’ve ever gotten lost at night, possibly after having a few drinks, and you’re in an unfamiliar location. Additionally, the temperature begins to drop steadily. Additionally, I believe the evidence will demonstrate that she became really confused. She believed that the shed where the infant was discovered was a safe place for her child, and that it would demonstrate that alcohol is a significant issue in this case, but it is not murder.
On Wednesday, Sacco had conversations with two grandparents.
And she was a wonderful mother, according to everyone I spoke with. I adored the child unconditionally. In addition, she had vomited all over herself when she was discovered, and her blood alcohol content was, I believe, over.20, indicating extreme intoxication. Her immediate response to the emergency medical personnel was, “Where’s my baby?” Sacco claimed that she had now blacked out at that moment.
Although a trial date has not yet been set, it is anticipated to occur early in the next year.