Dad ordered to stand trial for fatally punching 2-month-old son (Antioch, California)

Dad is identified as SIGIFREDO LUA.

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_19596434

Antioch father ordered to trial for fatally punching 2-month-old son
By Malaika Fraley
Contra Costa Times

Posted: 12/22/2011 06:28:06 AM PST
Updated: 12/22/2011 06:28:12 AM PST

PITTSBURG -- A 24-year-old Antioch father accused of fatally punching his 2-month-old son in the head in February was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on murder charges.

Sigifredo Lua was also held to answer on one count of felony child abuse for older injuries suffered by the infant, misdemeanor child abuse for allegedly slapping his older son in 2009 -- when that child was 2 months old -- and felony domestic violence for alleged abuse on the children's mother.

Lua, described by his former partner as having mood swings, told police that he hit the infant on the side of his head with a closed fist on Feb. 15 out of frustration with the baby's crying.

The infant, referred to in court as John Doe, died in his mother's arms at a hospital three days later. He had multiple skull fractures, a lacerated liver and broken ribs in various stages of healing, prosecutor Jason Peck said.

Lua first told police he slipped while holding the infant and that the child's head hit a couch armrest, officers testified. When asked to explain the baby's broken ribs, Lua said it must have been caused on a hot day -- in winter -- when both he and his son were sweaty, and he squeezed the infant's body to stop him from slipping out of his arms.