A 22-year-old Somerset man pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child for incidents involving his infant son.
The baby sustained life-threatening injuries from two incidents in 2009, according to police.
Matthew Albert Close, of Rebecca Street, pleaded guilty just before a jury was to be selected for his trial. The proceeding was scheduled before Judge D. Gregory Geary.
Close’s plea is what is known as an Alford plea. In this plea, he does not admit to committing the offenses. He does acknowledge that if the jury believes the prosecution’s evidence, he would face a harsher sentence, said his defense attorney, Kenneth Sottile of Carrolltown. Close’s co-counsel, Michael Filia of Johnstown, did not return a telephone call for comment.
“It was an extremely difficult decision,” Sottile said. “There have been ongoing discussions (with the prosecution) for some time.”
On Jan. 14, 2009, state police received a complaint from Somerset County Children and Youth Services that the day before a 1-month-old baby had been taken to Somerset Hospital with unexplained injuries, according to court documents. The infant was transported to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where staff immediately suspected the infant was suffering from shaken baby syndrome.
The baby sustained injuries that included broken ribs and leg bones, bruises on his chest and abdomen, and internal bleeding, according to testimony at Close’s preliminary hearing on Jan. 28, 2009. He also suffered brain injuries, according to court documents.
“The baby has lifelong debilitating effects from the injuries,” said Assistant District Attorney Mary Schellhammer, who is prosecutor on the case.
“The baby is doing good for what he has to deal with,” she said.
Close admitted to being the lone caregiver of the infant on two separate occasions, Jan. 5, 2009, and Jan. 13, 2009, that were consistent with the times that the injuries would have occurred, police said.
Moreover, Close was reluctant to provide details. At first he blamed his dog for the injuries to his infant son.
Close told a family member that he placed the baby on the edge of a couch to change him, and while he was in another room fetching clean clothes the child fell, according to an affidavit.
Initially, Close faced two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of a child.
“He entered the plea without hesitation,” Schellhammer said.
President Judge John M. Cascio directed the probation department to provide a full pre-sentence report. The report would include a summary of Close’s background, including any prior record, letters from the victim’s family and any recommendations. The final sentence, however, is up to the presiding county court judge.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3.
http://www.dailyamerican.com/news/somerset/da-ot-somerset-man-pleads-guilty-to-abusing-baby-20110509,0,5030955.story
The baby sustained life-threatening injuries from two incidents in 2009, according to police.
Matthew Albert Close, of Rebecca Street, pleaded guilty just before a jury was to be selected for his trial. The proceeding was scheduled before Judge D. Gregory Geary.
Close’s plea is what is known as an Alford plea. In this plea, he does not admit to committing the offenses. He does acknowledge that if the jury believes the prosecution’s evidence, he would face a harsher sentence, said his defense attorney, Kenneth Sottile of Carrolltown. Close’s co-counsel, Michael Filia of Johnstown, did not return a telephone call for comment.
“It was an extremely difficult decision,” Sottile said. “There have been ongoing discussions (with the prosecution) for some time.”
On Jan. 14, 2009, state police received a complaint from Somerset County Children and Youth Services that the day before a 1-month-old baby had been taken to Somerset Hospital with unexplained injuries, according to court documents. The infant was transported to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where staff immediately suspected the infant was suffering from shaken baby syndrome.
The baby sustained injuries that included broken ribs and leg bones, bruises on his chest and abdomen, and internal bleeding, according to testimony at Close’s preliminary hearing on Jan. 28, 2009. He also suffered brain injuries, according to court documents.
“The baby has lifelong debilitating effects from the injuries,” said Assistant District Attorney Mary Schellhammer, who is prosecutor on the case.
“The baby is doing good for what he has to deal with,” she said.
Close admitted to being the lone caregiver of the infant on two separate occasions, Jan. 5, 2009, and Jan. 13, 2009, that were consistent with the times that the injuries would have occurred, police said.
Moreover, Close was reluctant to provide details. At first he blamed his dog for the injuries to his infant son.
Close told a family member that he placed the baby on the edge of a couch to change him, and while he was in another room fetching clean clothes the child fell, according to an affidavit.
Initially, Close faced two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of a child.
“He entered the plea without hesitation,” Schellhammer said.
President Judge John M. Cascio directed the probation department to provide a full pre-sentence report. The report would include a summary of Close’s background, including any prior record, letters from the victim’s family and any recommendations. The final sentence, however, is up to the presiding county court judge.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3.
http://www.dailyamerican.com/news/somerset/da-ot-somerset-man-pleads-guilty-to-abusing-baby-20110509,0,5030955.story
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