The reporter "forgot" to mention it in this article, but Daddy had custody of the child at the time of the "alleged" assault. See our prevous postings on this case:
http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2010/03/custodial-dad-uncle-facing-1st-degree.html
http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2009/07/blow-torch-dad-brother-headed-to-trial.html
http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2010/05/farwell_brothers_accused_of_ch.html
Farwell brothers accused of child abuse enter into plea deal
By Cole Waterman The Bay City Times
May 13, 2010, 10:10AM
HARRISON — Two Farwell brothers accused of child abuse have entered into a plea deal rather than take their chances with a jury for a second time.
On April 30, Gerald T. Hall, 37, and Glen L. Hall, 47, appeared in Clare County Circuit Court and both pleaded no contest to charges of attempted assault. Counts of first-degree child abuse and torture will be dismissed at sentencing, court records show.
Investigators previously alleged that in October 2008, the pair took turns burning Gerald Hall’s 6-year-old son’s buttocks with a blowtorch. The Halls were charged in May 2009.
The brothers went to trial in late February. The alleged victim testified his father and uncle burned him, but hospital medical personnel could not verify the boy’s injuries were burns. Neighbors and family members testified the Hall brothers were not together on the day of the alleged abuse, the Clare County Review has reported.
After the jury deliberated for 18 hours and failed to reach a verdict, Clare County Circuit Judge Roy G. Mienk declared a mistrial.
Mienk will sentence the Halls on June 4.
