Dad set to go to trial in death of 4-month-old daughter (Sioux City, Iowa)

Dad PAUL HILL is set to go to trial on child endangerment charges in the death of his 4-month-old daughter. Seems that while she was in Daddy's "care," this baby inexplicably and mysteriously suffered a ruptured spleen, internal bleeding, and fractured ribs. Why is this a child endangerment charge, as opposed to murder or manslaughter? Any Iowa readers want to help me out on this?

Note that Daddy is free on a $75,000 bond--this is pretty consistent with the puny bonds I've been seeing for "allegedly" killer dads in recent days.

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_f60a9527-8261-5312-9ea8-9f57e8b31b6a.html

Decision on postponing trial may come next week
By Dolly A. Butz - dbutz@siouxcityjournal.com Posted: Saturday, March 20, 2010 12:00 am

SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man accused of killing his infant daughter will have to wait until next week to find out whether his trial will be postponed for a fourth time.

Paul Hill, 20, is set to stand trial March 30 in Woodbury County District Court. He has pleaded not guilty to felony child endangerment causing death in connection with the death of his 4-month-old daughter, Tryniti Jo Hill. He is free on $75,000 bond.

Authorities allege the child suffered a ruptured spleen, internal bleeding and fractured ribs while in her father's care. Tryniti died Feb. 17, 2009 at an Omaha hospital.

At a hearing Friday, Judge Steven Andreasen decided to reserve ruling on a defense motion to delay Hill's trial until more information about a conflicting trial becomes available.

In a motion filed Monday, Assistant Public Defender Mike Williams asked Andreasen to continue Hill's trial because he is representing a client in Buena Vista County whose trial might last through March 30.

"There's a speedy trial issue that we can't avoid," Williams told Andreasen Friday.

Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Jill Esteves said she is resisting Williams' request because Hill's case is more than a year old. If the trial is delayed again, Esteves said it would create "great emotional distress" for the victim's family, affect the plans of witnesses and require experts to change their schedules.

Andreasen said he will take the state's concerns into consideration, but will not proceed without Hill's attorney.

Williams is required to update the court on the progress of his trial in Buena Vista County no later than Tuesday.