Testimony continued Thursday in the case of a Reedley babysitter accused of murdering a toddler back in 2009.
There's no doubt 17-month-old Ella Van Leeuwen died of severe brain injuries. What the jury has to be decide now, is where those injuries came from.
The prosecution is standing firm that Ella was murdered at the hands of her babysitter, Megan Martzen.
Thursday, Martin's close friend, Priscilla Luther took the stand. Luther said she and Martzen had plans to meet the night before Ella was hospitalized, but Martzen cancelled because she was sick. She also testified that in the days following the accident, Martzen cliamed "she was frustrated because Ella wouldn't stop crying."
A family friend of the Van Leeuwen's told the jury tat just hours after the incident, the defendant was hysterical and kept repeating, "It's all my fault."
The defense was quick to dispute these testimonies, arguing they don't prove Martzen killed Ella. They say the girl accidentally fell off the bed, and claim Ella had fallen in her booster seat at her parent's home the day before.
One doctor did admit that multiple injuries in a short period of time could have contributed to the girl's death.
But the testimony from a child abuse expert, refutes that theory.
Dr. John Kinnison examined Ella at Children's Hospital. He said it appeared she suffered from "non-accidental trauma." Kinnison said Ella's brain injuries were consistent with those caused in a car accident or by violent shaking. He also said those injuries are found in 85% of child abuse cases. When asked by the prosecution if two falls in two days could have killed Ella, Kinnison said "I wouldn't expect that."
Both the prosecution and defense have declined to comment on this trial. The prosecution did say they expect to rest their case Friday.
Martzen remains free after posting a $2 million bail.
TXT 24
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