Defense lawyer recuses self in baby death case in Knoxville

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A judge in Knoxville has lowered bond for a couple charged in the shooting death of their 6-month-old daughter.

The court slashed the $1 million bonds for Angela Michelle Major and Kenneth Alan Mason to $200,000 each, calling them outside the bounds of reasonableness. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported both suspects remained in jail Monday night on charges of reckless homicide.

Also, public defender Mark Stephens withdrew from representing Mason, telling the court he couldn't tell the reason, but a development the prosecutor disclosed created a conflict of interest.

Investigators said the 26-year-old Major and 40-year-old Mason were grappling over a gun in their home on June 19, when it discharged. The bullet struck Mason in the hand and the baby - Kelsey Major - in the head.