Dad's trial for murder of 2-year-old daughter delayed (South Bend, Indiana)

We've posted about dad VALENTIN ESCOBEDO before. Seems he's managed to get his murder trial delayed while he seeks out a "medical evidence expert."

See previous posts here:
http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2010/01/dad-charged-with-battery-in-death-of-2.html
http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2010/01/dad-accused-in-toddlers-death-now-faces.html

http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100506/News01/5060316/-1/googleNews

Father's trial in death delayed
Escobedo defense seeks to hire medical evidence expert.

By ALICIA GALLEGOS
Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND — The trial for a father accused of beating his young daughter to death again has been postponed.

Valentin Escobedo previously was scheduled for trial June 21. He is charged with murder in the killing of 2-year-old Maya Jane Escobedo.

The child died of a serious head injury in December 2008. A subsequent investigation found she had suffered years of apparent abuse.

Escobedo appeared in court Wednesday with his defense attorney, Jeff Sanford, who requested the trial delay. The motion relates to a medical expert the Escobedo family wishes to hire to review medical evidence in the case.

Escobedo's family is in the process of raising funds to pay for the expert's services, according to court documents, and for court transcripts from Escobedo's wife's trial.

Kristina Byers-Escobedo in February was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted by a jury of Class A felony neglect in Maya's death.

The defense acknowledged this is the third request for a trial delay, but indicated the request is necessary for a "full and complete defense."

The state had no objection to the defense's motion.

Escobedo's new trial date is Sept. 27 with a record date of Sept. 14.