A New Bedford man was charged this past week with Massachusetts Murder Charges in connection with the death of a 9 month old infant.
The defendant, Ethen Harrison, was arraigned in New Bedford District Court this past week on the upgraded charge of murder. He had previously been arraigned on various assault charges.
According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the defendant allegedly assaulted the infant in the apartment he shared with the child’s mother. Although the two were reportedly living together, the defendant was not the biological father of the child.
New Bedford Police Officers reported that the defendant made some alleged statements following his arrest, including that he allegedly admitted that the infant because fussy and that he caused the child to hit its head on the floor. The child’s mother reportedly left the child alone with the defendant.
The infant was found to have succumbed to blunt force trauma to the head and had a large blood clot on its brain.
Defendant’s who are the subject of any criminal investigation, particularly those involving criminal charges as serious as murder, should think twice about discussing any part of the allegations with police prior to engaging the representation of a criminal defense lawyer.
There is a reason why police are required to read to a defendant his Miranda rights and specifically advise him that he has a constitutional right to consult with an attorney and that any statements he makes may be used against him in a court of law.
Although there are mechanisms to challenges whether any alleged statements were properly and constitutionally elicited, suppressing or excluding any admissions or inculpatory statements is extremely difficulty, particularly if the interview was video recorded. Typically, where a defendant has made inculpatory statements and the proper warnings were given, courts are reluctant to rule that the statements were not intelligently, knowingly and voluntarily made in light of the defendant’s constitutional rights.
Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer Lefteris K. Travayiakis is available 24/7 for consultation on all Massachusetts Crimes of Violence, including murder.
To schedule a Free Consultation, Click Here to Request a Consultation with a Boston Criminal Lawyer or call 617-325-9500.