Dad accused of killing 4-month-old daughter gives up right to jury trial (Sioux City, Iowa)

Dad PAUL HILL faces felony endangerment charges in the death of his 4-month-old daughter, who died after suffering from a ruptured spleen and broken ribs. Daddy has apparently decided that his odds are better if he passes on a jury trial, and appeals to the judge directly.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT: Where is the mom?

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Parent Accused in Child's Death Gives Up Right to Jury

A Sioux City parent accused in his child's death will plead his case directly to a judge. 21-year-old Paul Hill faces a felony child endangerment charge for the death of his four-month-old daughter, Tryniti.

KMEG 14's Jeremy Maskel was in court and explains why the state wants to add an additional charge against Hill.

Assistant district attorneys prosecuting the case say new information from witnesses led to the push for an additional charge. Attorneys asked the judge Friday afternoon to add multiple acts of child abuse to the list against Hill.

His four-month-old daughter Tryniti died in February 2009. She suffered several broken ribs and a ruptured spleen. Friday, the defense team gave up its right to a jury trial, opting to argue Hill's defense directly to a judge. The court explained that changes the odds, since prosecutors only have to convince one person instead of twelve. Hill said he understood.

The trial is currently set to begin in June, but attorneys said the schedule of an expert witness could change that.