Colin RussellJASPER, Tenn. - Prosecutors in the trial of a Marion County, Tenn., man accused in the death of his 3-month-old son moved more quickly than expected and ended up stopping court action early today.
Defendant Christopher Russell's attorneys, William Bullock and Judith St. Clair, told Criminal Court Judge Thomas Graham said they didn't want to call a witness out of order on Tuesday, so action was stopped for the day.
The delay came because a state witnesses was not in town yet.Russell is on trial in the June 2012 death of his infant son, Colin Eugene Russell, who died several days after being hospitalized for traumatic injuries to head and body.
First to take the stand on Tuesday was the physician who treated the 3-month-old victim when he arrived at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville after he was airlifted from Jasper on the initial emergency call on June 17, 2012.
Vanderbilt physician Dr. Deborah Lowen testified that the baby's brain and retinal injuries were consistent with being shaken or thrown. She said some injuries weren't known until Colin died and an autopsy was performed.
Russell defense lawyers, William Bullock and Judith St. Clair, questioned the time frame of injuries and what other causes could result in such injuries. Lowen testified that some other conditions cause similar problems but that other injuries, like a ligament injury in the baby's neck, showed more violence.
The second witness called before action halted was a previous Marion County Jail inmate who testified about his conversations with Russell regarding the events the day the baby was injured.
The witness that was the unexpected hold up on Tuesday will take the stand at 9 a.m. CDT Wednesday.
Judge Graham said the trial could conclude late Wednesday or Thursday.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.