Expert: Photo lineups flawed in Georgia baby killing trial

Thursday, August 29, 2013

MARIETTA, Ga. - An expert on eyewitness identification testified that the photo lineups shown to witnesses in the case of a baby slain in coastal Georgia were suggestive.

Georgia State University cognitive psychology professor Heather Kleider testified today in the trial of De'Marquise Elkins. The 18-year-old is charged with murder in the March 21 killing of 13-month-old Antonio Santiago in Brunswick.

Kleider testified about photo lineups shown to the baby's mother, Sherry West, and to two other men that Elkins is accused of trying to rob.

Kleider said the lineup shown to West was suggestive because not all the men in the photos had the same physical characteristics and not all of them matched a description given by West. She said the lineups given to two men had similar problems.