Drunk dad convicted of killing 3-month-old son; judge to sentence (St. Peter, Minesota)

Dad CHRIS FARRIS has been pleaded guilty to the "unintential murder" of his infant son. Seems Daddy violently shook the baby, and then bit him (?) when he ceased to respond. Of course, his enabling parents say he's an "excellent father." Aren't they all....

I always bite people when they cease to respond to me. Makes me very popular at parties. Don't you do the same?

http://mankatofreepress.com/local/x431312226/Fathers-fate-still-unknown-judge-to-decide-prison-time-in-February-in-baby-death-case

January 27, 2012

Father's fate still unknown; judge to decide prison time in February in baby death case

By Robb Murray
The Mankato Free Press
Fri Jan 27, 2012, 02:49 PM CST

ST PETER — In an emotional court hearing Friday, family members of an infant who was killed by his father pleaded with the court to impose a harsh sentence, while Chris Farris and his attorney pleaded for leniency.

In the end, neither got they wanted. At least not yet. Nicollet County District Court Judge Todd Westphal said he'll announce his decison Feb. 14 after reviewing testimony from the hearing, as well as reading written arguments from both sides.

At stake is roughly four years in prison, as Farris is hoping for a 128-month sentence, while prosecutors and the baby's family are hoping for 180 months, or 15 years.

Keisha Moniz, 3-month-old Dawson's mother, testified, as well as Allison King, the child's grandmother, each characterizing Farris as an often-drunk, aggressive man who was not a good father.

Brad Peyton, Farris' attorney, offered a Powerpoint presentation that featured audio from Farris' parents talking about their son, and from a woman who is the mother of two other children of Farris' (he had two with Moniz,) who called Farris an excellent father, and urged Westphall to minimize the amount of time he is away from the children he has with her.

Dawson had stopped breathing one day in September of 2010 and Farris drove him to the hospital. After a criminal investigation, it was revealed Farris had violently shaken the child and bit his cheek when he stopped responding.

Dawson was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. He later was charged with several felonies in connection with Dawson's death, but pleaded guilty to unintentional murder.