Inclusion Daily Express -- Mom Convicted Of Beating Daughter To Death

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Mom Convicted Of Beating Daughter To Death
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
December 16, 2005

WATERTOWN, NEW YORK--A jury took just three hours last Tuesday to find a mother guilty in the death of her 3-year-old daughter, who had cerebral palsy.

The Jefferson County Court jury convicted Mandi Griffin, 26, of felony second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, and second-degree assault and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child after a five-day trial.

Prosecutors told the court that Griffin killed her daughter, Vanessa, on February 24 by beating her head repeatedly against the arm of a wooden chair. Two New York State Police investigators testified that Griffin told them she beat the girl because she was frustrated with caring for her and her twin brother.

Griffin's public defenders argued that police and rescue workers failed to properly handle Vanessa when they arrived on the scene.

During the trial, Griffin repeatedly told reporters she was unhappy with her public defenders and had asked for a change, but was refused. She told one television station that she secured a new attorney to handle any appeal.

Griffin is to be sentenced February 14 and could face up to 15 years to life in state prison.

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