Long Beach – a Long Beach woman was found not guilty in connection
to the 2006 death of a two-year-old boy who died at an apartment complex.
The victim (her boyfriend's son) was in J.G.'s care when he tragically
fell, a fall that lead to serious brain injuries, life support and his
untimely death. While the accident occurred in 2006, it wasn't until
four years later in December of 2010 that the defendant was arrested.
She was arrested after a long investigation by the Long Beach Police Department
and medical examiners from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.
The 27-year-old defendant, J.G. was charged with second degree
murder after local area hospital staff called the police over suspicions about
the child's injuries and the circumstances around the accident. The
defendant was represented by our very own Jay Glaser, and the case was
heard before Long Beach Superior Court Judge Arthur Jean.
When explaining his verdict to the friends and family of the toddler and
the defendant, the judge said the he was bound in the law when making
his decision and had to consider three factors. He said one factor was
that the law requires that if there are two reasonable explanations in
a case, that the judge or jury must rule in favor of innocence. "I'm
a hard as nails trial judge and I will go where the evidence takes me,
whether I like it or not," said Judge Jean to the crowded courtroom.
The defendant decided to waive her right to a jury, which means the verdict
would be left to a judge. The judge said that the experts called by the
prosecution and defense were stellar and believable. However, he pointed
out that between the defense's experts, the defendant's lack of
criminal history, and the fact that she didn't have any other reports
of child abuse for the victim prior to his death, her own son, or for
anyone else's children, all of these factors further supported the
defense's argument that the November 2006 death of the toddler was
nothing more than a tragic accident.
J.G. was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend's
two-year-old son after the boy ended face up at the bottom of the stairs
at the apartment complex where the couple lived. The hospital staff called
investigators after they grew suspicious over the cause of the toddler's
death. The defendant told investigators the fall was an accident.
The day before the not-guilty verdict, the defendant testified that she,
her son, and the two-year-old boy were walking down the stairs on their
way out to the car. She noticed the victim wasn't holding on to the
railing so she told him to use the railing. She said he turned around
and told her "okay." Just seconds later "his feet crossed
and he fell backward," said the defendant.
"We have to respect his decision, whether we agree with it or not,"
said Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detective Malcolm Evans. "It
still makes it a bitter pill to swallow."
Our client declined to comment but attorney Glaser said that he stood by
his opening statement where he declared his utmost respect for the veteran
jurist. He also said that he would have felt the same even if the judge
hadn't decided in our client's favor. "But this loss will
always be with her and she will continue to cry about it every day and
will still continue to suffer every day of her life."
This acquittal on behalf of our client J.G. was just another one of our
highly favorable case results! If you or someone you love is facing criminal
charges of any nature, we urge you to contact a Long Beach criminal defense
attorney from our firm to schedule a free consultation with no commitment
on your part.