Placer County prosecutors used a different tack in the second trial for a nanny accused of violently shaking a 16-month-old Roseville baby, allegedly causing fatal brain injuries.
Prosecutors went after the defense's expert witnesses whose testimony played a major role in causing a jury to deadlock in the first trial last year.
The fate of Veronica Martinez Salcedo, 36, accused of assault causing the death of Hannah Rose Juceam, is now in the hands of a second jury, which began deliberations Thursday morning.
Prosecutors Karin Bjork and Jeff Wood gave closing statements Wednesday and Thursday. Defense attorney Mary Beth Acton delivered her closing argument Thursday.
Martinez Salcedo was baby- sitting Hannah on May 11, 2006, when the child became unresponsive and was rushed to a hospital by ambulance.
Bjork and Wood allege that Martinez Salcedo shook Hannah to stop her crying after the baby's mother left the house to run an errand. They note that the defendant offered four different versions of what occurred: Hannah being found on the floor; a barstool falling on her; Hannah falling out of her arms; and Hannah being shaken to stop her crying.
Acton contends that Hannah may have suffered injuries a day or two before May 11 at the hands of someone else or that the child may have had a virus or other illness that caused brain swelling. In both trials, Acton called medical experts to contest the allegations that Hannah suffered shaken baby syndrome and to question whether physicians misdiagnosed her injuries or a possible illness.
Bjork told the jury Wednesday that Hannah's doctors were nearly unanimous in concluding that her injuries were caused by violent shaking. She and Wood tried to discredit Acton's expert witnesses, contending that they are paid to come up with theories meant to confuse listeners.
Call The Bee's Art Campos, (916) 773-2825.
