ATHENS, Tenn. – The child rape and murder case against Mitchell Delashmitt ended suddenly this morning when the state’s medical expert couldn’t testify and the defendant pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
Mr. Delashmitt pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and child neglect in the 2003 death of his 14-month-old daughter, Amber Mae. Her body was found in a pond near their Riceville home. Mr. Delashmitt said he fell asleep and the toddler wandered away.
Mr. Delashmitt was sentenced to three years on each count, based on time served.
He remained in jail from his 2003 arrest until his confession was thrown out in 2007.
Court officials announced this morning that the state’s medical expert, Dr. Ronald Toolsies, had had his medical license suspended in Georgia. Under reciprocity rules, that means his Tennessee license would be suspended as well and he could not present evidence at trial.
See Thursday’s Times Free Press for complete coverage.