P. v. Reese CA5
A jury convicted appellant Amanda Marie Reese of willful cruelty to a child, a felony. (Pen. Code, § 273a, subd. (a).) She was sentenced to prison for four years.
The child in question was appellant’s 15-month-old daughter, Sophia Lynn Taylor (the baby). It is undisputed that appellant’s boyfriend, Jared Ramirez, killed the baby. Prior to appellant’s trial, Ramirez pleaded no contest to committing second degree murder, and he was sentenced to prison for 15 years to life. The trial court informed appellant’s jury about Ramirez’s plea and sentence.
The primary issue in appellant’s trial was whether she was criminally negligent for causing or permitting the baby to suffer, be injured, or be endangered. The prosecutor argued to the jury that appellant’s negligent act was leaving the baby with Ramirez on the fatal night knowing he had been abusing the baby.
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