Christopher Eugene RussellThe father charged last week in Marion County, Tenn., in the 2012 death of his 3-month-old son is fighting extradition from Georgia where he lives.
Chris Russell, 25, of Rocky Face, Ga., is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse, according to a Marion County grand jury indictment. He was arrested last Wednesday in Whitfield County on a fugitive from justice warrant, and continues to be held there.
Russell remained the only “person of interest” throughout the investigation into the death of Russell’s infant son, Colin Russell. Autopsy reports say the child died of “injuries consistent with repeated non-accidental trauma and a diagnosis of battered child syndrome.”
On Aug. 7, Russell went for his first appearance before a local judge and returned again on Aug. 8 when he refused to sign an extradition waiver, according to Whitfield authorities.
Russell had no attorney listed yet to represent him in proceedings, jail officials said.