Dad sentenced to 10 years for murder of infant son (Bismarck, North Dakota)

Dad AARIN CRATTY has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of his 31/2-month-old son, who apparently died from abusive trauma (violent shaking).

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_6a507b70-bcf2-11df-b52f-001cc4c002e0.html

Cratty sentenced to 10 years in infant death
Story Discussion By JENNY MICHAEL, Bismarck Tribune Posted: Friday, September 10, 2010 10:42 am

A Bismarck man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of his 3½-month-old son.

South Central District Judge David Reich on Friday sentenced Aarin Cratty, 20, to 25 years in prison with all but 10 years suspended and five years of supervised probation.

Because the crime is a violent offense, Cratty must serve 85 percent of the sentence before he can be released on parole.

Hank Allen Arden Cratty died on Oct. 10. He was the son of Cratty and Lori Lyon, of Bismarck. At the time of his death, Cratty told police he played too rough with his son when he wouldn't stop crying, and the child's head struck the father's knee. However, Burleigh County State's Attorney Richard Riha classified the death as a result of shaking.

Riha recommended a sentence of 60 years in prison with all but 20 years suspended and five years of probation.

Public defender Travis Finck recommended a sentence more in line with recent manslaughter cases involving infant deaths, where parents have been sentenced to serve five or seven years in prison. He said the murder charge was inappropriate in the case, as Cratty's conduct was accidental, not intentional.

Cratty's parents and Lyon told Reich they thought Cratty should get time served and probation. They said he had suffered enough in jail, and they believe he is not a danger to anyone.