Tuesday, December 16, 2014

PTSD defense for dad charged with killing 2-month-old son for crying (Lowell, Massachusetts)

Dad is identified as CHRISTOPHER BERRY.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2014/12/lowell_father_to_change_plea_in_shaken_baby_death

Lowell father to change plea in shaken-baby death

Monday, December 15, 2014
By: Associated Press

LOWELL — An Army veteran from Lowell is scheduled to appear in court for a change of plea hearing in the shaking death of his 2-month-old son. Christopher Berry is scheduled to appear in court Monday in connection with the May 2013 death of his son, William Berry.

Prosecutors say the 24-year-old Berry shook his son because he was frustrated with the child's crying. The boy died several days after he was taken to the hospital. He had previously pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.

The Sun of Lowell reports that Berry's lawyer says in court documents that his client was severely affected by his military deployment to Afghanistan.

Attorney Elliot Savitz said that Berry exhibited a number of bizarre behaviors when he returned home that he blamed on post-traumatic stress disorder.