Dad on trial for torturing infant son to death in 2007 (Barstow, California)

The trial of DAVON JOHNSON has begun, who is charged with the torture death of his 7-week-old son in 2007. Notice that there is not a single word about this baby's mother.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/barstow-9303-trial-charged.html

Barstow man charged with torturing son to death begins trial
September 22, 2010 3:31 PM
By AARON DOME, staff writer

BARSTOW • Jurors heard opening statements and witness testimony today in the trial of a Barstow man charged with torturing his infant son to death in 2007.

Davon Johnson, 23, is charged with assault to a child resulting in great bodily injury or death and torture in the death of his seven-week-old son, Zyeir Johnson.

Zyeir died of multiple life-threatening injuries at Loma Linda University Medical Center on July 13, 2007, eight days after he was brought to Barstow Hospital by his father.

In his opening statement, Deputy District Attorney Sean Daugherty showed the jury numerous photos of a multitude of injuries on Zyeir’s body, including large amounts of bruising and lacerations.

Daugherty said that testimony from medical personnel would prove abuse caused Zyeir’s death, and police testimony would prove who did it.

“Doctors will testify that (Zyeir’s) brain was essentially liquefied,” said Daugherty. “There was no evidence of disease and his death was caused by non-accidental trauma.”

Daugherty said that Davon changed his account of what happened numerous times in interviews with police, initially saying that Zyeir fell from a bed, and later saying that he was too rough with Zyeir when he became frustrated with the baby’s crying.

Barstow police officer Dante Caliboso was first to testify, and gave an account of Zyeir’s injuries as he saw them at Barstow Hospital on July 4 before Zyeir was transported to Loma Linda.

Caliboso said that as a school resource officer he is trained at recognizing abuse, and gave a descriptive account of numerous injures on Zyeir’s body.

The jury then heard testimony from Wendy Ferraro, a licensed vocational nurse who treated Zyeir at Barstow Hospital. She said that she saw numerous signs that Zyeir’s condition was deteriorating, including an increased breathing rate and shivering indicating possible brain injury.

Davon’s defense attorney Paul Henderson asked numerous questions about Zyeir’s injuries, and also speculated that discoloration on the infant’s body may have been Mongolian Spots, a skin condition that causes discoloration. Henderson did not give an opening statement.
If convicted, Johnson could face 25 years to life in prison.