The defense attorney for Veronica Martinez Salcedo today asked a Placer County judge to dismiss charges that she shook a baby, causing its death.
Mary Beth Acton made the motion after a prosecutor asked Superior Court Judge Robert P. McElhany for more time to study the case before the District Attorney's Office decides whether to seek a third trial against Martinez Salcedo.
Prosecutor Jeff Wood said he needed the time so that a physician could review evidence introduced in the second trial by a medical expert for the defense
Acton asked for the dismissal, saying she did not believe the prosecution had any new evidence to present.
Wood requested that Acton's motion to be put in writing. McElhany agreed and then ordered the parties to return at 1:30 p.m. today for further consideration.
The first trial ended Oct. 31, 2007, with a jury deadlocked 10-2 to convict the defendant. The second trail ended June 26, with the jury deadlocked at 9-3 for acquittal.
Martinez Salcedo, employed as a nanny, is accused in the death of 16-month-old Hannah Rose Juceam of Roseville, who was found unresponsive on May 11, 2006.
The baby died two days later when her parents made the decision to end life support after attending physicians told them Hannah had little chance of a normal life if she survived her brain injuries.
Call The Bee's Art Campos, (916) 773-2825.
