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Posted on Fri, Apr. 27, 2007
BY NATHANIEL JONES
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
FORT WORTH -- Sierra Odom was suffocated after she suffered a blow to the back of her head caused by 200 to 300 pounds of force, a medical examiner testified Thursday.
Marc A. Krouse, Tarrant County deputy chief medical examiner, testified that Sierra was suffocated with some kind of cloth. Krouse testified in the trial of Timothy Warner, 31, of Arlington who is accused of injury to a child in the 2005 death of his 3-year-old foster daughter.
Krouse also told the jury that the bruise to the back of Sierra's head could not have been caused by an accidental fall.
"She had major brain swelling," Krouse said.
THE CASE IN BRIEF
Background
Timothy Warner, 31, is on trial before state District Judge Elizabeth Berry in the 2005 death of his 3-year-old foster daughter, Sierra Odom. He is charged with injury to a child. If convicted, Warner could be sentenced to life in prison; he is eligible for probation.
Timothy Warner Warner took Sierra Odom's body to a south Arlington hospital in 2005 saying she had been hurt in an automobile accident. Medical personnel and police noted that Sierra's injuries weren't consistent with the bumper and headlight damage on Warner's vehicle.
Thursday's highlights
Warner's 11-year-old biological son, Timothy Jr., testified that he saw his father hit and grab Sierra. He said Sierra would be punished for hitting other children in the house and for soiling her pants. Sierra was punished by being given "time out" or being hit, Timothy Jr. said.
Krouse testified that Sierra's body temperature was 94 degrees Fahrenheit when Warner brought her to the hospital, indicating that she had been dead for several hours. Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees.
Krouse said Sierra had finger impressions on her rib cage. Sierra was 2 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 27 pounds, he said. Warner, in a statement to police, said he was 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 230 pounds.
Defense attorney Johnson rested his case without presenting any witnesses or experts.
What's next?
The jury is expected to deliberate today after hearing closing arguments.
Nathaniel Jones, 817-548-5414 njones@star-telegram.com
http://www.star-telegram.com/229/story/82865.html
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