Post by WaTcHeR on May 23, 2006 8:56:56 GMT -5
5/23/06 - SYLVA, NC - A mother whose 8-year-old son died of heat exposure in her car while she worked a double shift at nursing home was acquitted Monday of all charges related to his death.
A jury deliberated about four hours before returning the not guilty verdicts on the one-year anniversary of Devin Gibson's death. Michelle Gibson had been charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse.
"My heart, my soul and my mind is grateful," Gibson said. "I want to go on and rest and let my son rest."
Prosecutors said Gibson occasionally kept Devin in the trunk of her 2001 Ford Escort.
Gibson denied locking Devin in the car trunk, but said she was responsible for his death. The nursing assistant told investigators she had no one to care for her son while she worked a 16-hour shift.
Assistant District Attorney Roy Wijewickrama said Gibson used her words -- not a lock or restraints -- to make Devin stay in the car.
"She told him to stay in the vehicle and use the diapers if he needed to go to the bathroom," Wijewickrama said. "And he did. He died listening to his mom."
The murder charge carried a sentence of up to 16 years.
A jury deliberated about four hours before returning the not guilty verdicts on the one-year anniversary of Devin Gibson's death. Michelle Gibson had been charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse.
"My heart, my soul and my mind is grateful," Gibson said. "I want to go on and rest and let my son rest."
Prosecutors said Gibson occasionally kept Devin in the trunk of her 2001 Ford Escort.
Gibson denied locking Devin in the car trunk, but said she was responsible for his death. The nursing assistant told investigators she had no one to care for her son while she worked a 16-hour shift.
Assistant District Attorney Roy Wijewickrama said Gibson used her words -- not a lock or restraints -- to make Devin stay in the car.
"She told him to stay in the vehicle and use the diapers if he needed to go to the bathroom," Wijewickrama said. "And he did. He died listening to his mom."
The murder charge carried a sentence of up to 16 years.
