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Family members of deceased toddler take stand in Hardin County capital murder trial

A Kountze man faces the death penalty in a toddler's death
Jason Wade Delacerda in court 2/21/2018 (Photo: W. Blanchette)

Day two of testimony in the murder trial of Jason Wade Delacerda began Wednesday.

Delacerda is accused of killing his girlfriends daughter in 2011. His girlfriend, Amanda Nichole Guidry, is also charged in the girl’s death.

Jury members watch a video of Delecerda as he was questioned by two Hardin County investigators following his arrest. Delecerda is heard explaining Breonna’s injuries. An investigator is heard in the video telling the defendant that Amanda, the victim’s mother, told a very different story than his. The video ends as Delecerda and one of the investigators began shouting at each other.

The defense questioned the credibility of Jerry Roberts, one of the Hardin County investigators in the video and asked for a mistrial. Defense attorney Ryan Gertz said the prosecution refused to release information about Investigator Roberts.

Hardin County Sheriff’s Office Captain Mark Minton testified that Delacerda was cooperative during the search of his home.

Samantha Bailey, the victim’s aunt, took the stand around 10:30 a.m. She got emotional as she described a visit to the couple’s home. She said Breonna had a bag of ice on her head watching cartoons. She said the child’s head was visibly swollen.

“I’ve never seen Bronna with those types of injuries before living with Delacerda,” said Bailey.

Baily testified that Delacerda prevented her from visiting her niece for up to three months.

Wanda Baily took the stand just before 11 a.m. She is the victim’s grandmother. She testified that she took care of Breonna before the child moved into Delacerda’s home.

Tommy Brown, the Jefferson County Medical Examiner who did the autopsy on Breonna Loftin took the stand. According to the autopsy report, it was determine that the cause of the child's death was due to a severe head injury known as "Subdural Hematoma."

Delacerda told Hardin County investigators that Loftin's head injury was caused by a trampoline accident. However, Brown's autopsy report determined that the her cause of death was not accidental.

TESTIMONY FROM TUESDAY

An attorney for Jason Wade Delacerda did not offer opening statements Tuesday morning. Ryan Getz said he will rely on the jury to find evidence presented by the prosecution as too weak for a conviction. He asked the judge to “limit the scope” of questioning during the trial saying questions about the condition of the child at the hospital have nothing to do with how the child's injuries contributed to her death. Judge Steven Thomas denied Gertz’s request to restrict the evidence.

The first witness to take the stand was emergency room physician Dr. Charles Owen. He testified that the child had multiple bruises, scabs and broken bones. He said there were signs of pushpins pressed into the victim’s forehead. The defense objected to the prosecution’s presentation of this evidence, saying it was not related to the child’s death. Judge Thomas overruled the objection.

Hardin County Sheriff’s Office Captain Gary Spears took the stand. He described seeing the child’s injuries while at the hospital. While Capt. Spears was on the stand, prosecutors played an audio recording of an interview with the defendant that was made as part of the investigation. Delacerda is heard on the tape saying that the burns could have been caused by a cigarette, but denied knowing how it could have happened. Delacerda’s voice on the tape is also heard saying that Breonna’s leg and head injuries were caused by a trampoline accident. Delacerda said her burns were caused by hot coffee.

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