Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Delay denied for trial in 4-month-old's death

DOTHAN, Ala. - A judge rejected a defense attorney's bid to delay the Sept. 12 trial for a Florida woman charged with capital murder in her 4-month-old baby's death.

Houston County Circuit Court Judge Lawson Little on Friday denied a motion to delay the trial for Tierra Gobble, who was arrested in December in the death of Phoenix Cody Parrish.

Gobble had moved to Dothan from Tampa.

Phoenix died Dec. 15 after suffering a skull fracture, two broken ribs and two broken wrists. Gobble told authorities she banged the baby's head because he wouldn't stop crying.

Defense attorney Tom Brantley sought a trial delay to locate witnesses and documents.

"We talked about this months ago. Now here we go at the last minute wanting a continuance. I am sick and tired of this," Judge Little said.

If convicted of capital murder, Gobble could be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole.

Hillsborough Kids Inc. in Tampa, a child welfare agency, has been sued over the child's death. The suit claims Phoenix was killed after caseworkers allegedly allowed him to be taken out of Florida and put back in his abusive parents' hands.

[Last modified August 22, 2005, 01:07:12]