Judge Hearing Case Against Phila. Couple Charged With Neglect Murder of Son
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia judge is now considering the evidence, weighing an horrific case of child abuse from March of last year.
Authorities say it was a slow and torturous death for six-year-old Khalil Wimes, who weighed just about 30 pounds when he died. Investigators say he had both old and new injuries, from head to toe (see previous story).
Prosecutors say his parents, Latiff Hadi and Tina Cuffie, are responsible for the murder -- and that it is murder in the first degree (related story).
Defense attorneys admit their clients are guilty of something, but say it is lesser offenses, not murder.
"My client is clearly responsible for the death of her child as a result of actions and inactions, improper discipline," acknowledges attorney Michael Farrell, who represents the mother, Tina Cuffie.
But he says there was no malice, and the case doesn't rise to murder.
The boy's grandmother, LaReine Nixon -- who help raised the little boy to the age of three before he returned to his parents -- is looking for justice: "That they rot in prison, that is where they belong," she says.
Stay tuned to KYW Newsradio 1060 and CBS Philly for updates on this non-jury trial when they are received.
