CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) — A defense attorney says his client didn't intend to kill a toddler whose body was found encased in concrete in a swampy area of northwestern Indiana.
Testimony began Wednesday in the trial of 19-year-old Engelica Castillo of Hobart, who is charged with murder for the June 2009 death of a 2-year-old cousin she was baby-sitting.
Jada Justice was the subject of a 10-day search after Castillo reported the girl was missing from the car after she went into a Gary convenience store.
Defense lawyer Lemuel Stigler told jurors that testimony would show Jada didn't die as portrayed by Castillo's then-boyfriend, Timothy Tkachik. He has pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent charges.
Prosecutor David Urbanski said the two were going to Chicago for heroin when they realized Jada wasn't breathing.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Testimony began Wednesday in the trial of 19-year-old Engelica Castillo of Hobart, who is charged with murder for the June 2009 death of a 2-year-old cousin she was baby-sitting.
Jada Justice was the subject of a 10-day search after Castillo reported the girl was missing from the car after she went into a Gary convenience store.
Defense lawyer Lemuel Stigler told jurors that testimony would show Jada didn't die as portrayed by Castillo's then-boyfriend, Timothy Tkachik. He has pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent charges.
Prosecutor David Urbanski said the two were going to Chicago for heroin when they realized Jada wasn't breathing.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
