All this seems to be a formality, as dad LEE ROSS BARBONE has already admitted that he hit (assaulted) the baby.
http://www.kpvi.com/content/news/local/story/Murder-Suspect-in-Court-Victims-Mother-Has/2IDHWMYwYUCl8n2xL1kFwg.cspx
Murder Suspect in Court; Victim's Mother Has Outburst
Published: 11:20 am Share Updated: 1:04 pm
The Pocatello man facing first degree murder charges in the death of his 7-month-old son made another brief appearance in court Wednesday morning.
Lee Ross Barbone, 19, had a preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday, but the proceedings ended shortly after they began. Barbone's defense attorney asked Judge David Evans for a two week continuance because he needs more time to prepare his client.
Judge Evans granted that extension and a preliminary hearing in magistrate court was set for August 24th.
Also in the courtroom Wednesday morning was the mother of the 7-month-old infant that Barbone is charged with killing. While shuffling out of the proceedings, the mother burst out using several expletives to accuse Barbone of killing her baby.
Court records indicate that the19-year-old father admitted to hitting the child back in May when the infant would not go to sleep. An autopsy of the 7-month-old showed that he died as a result of multiple head injuries.
Police reports indicate Barbone took the child to Portneuf Medical Center where he was unresponsive and efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
Barbone remains in custody with a $1 million bond. He is facing first degree murder charges because the child was under the age of 12.