Dad set for trial in 2-year-old daughter's beating death (South Bend, Indiana)

We've posted on this case before. Finally, dad VALENTIN ESCOBEDO is going to trial for the beating death of his 2-year-old daughter. Mom is already serving 30 years in prison for failure to protect--which is more time than most intentionally deliberate murderers serve.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20101020/News01/101029923/-1/googleNews

South Bend father set for trial in child's death
Tribune Staff Report

SOUTH BEND — After numerous delays, a father accused of beating his 2-year-old daughter to death is set for trial in 2011.

Valentin Escobedo appeared in court this morning where a trial date of May 9 was scheduled.

Escobedo is charged with murder in the death of his daughter, Maya Escobedo, who died from a serious head injury in December 2008. Escobedo's wife, Kristina Byers-Escobedo, was convicted for her role in the death in January 2010, and is now serving a 30-year sentence.

A series of issues have led to Escobedo's trial being delayed a number of times, primarily at the defense's request.

Those delays included: a May postponement when Escobedo's attorney, Jeff Sanford, requested a medical expert have more time to review evidence in the case. The Escobedo family at the time, was in the process of raising money to pay for the expert's services, he said.

Last month, Sanford asked a judge to postpone the trial a fourth time after he said a previous expert who looked at evidence in the case "backtracked what he initially told me."

Sanford asked for more time so he could send information to a second expert, who would need more time to review the evidence.