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Defense rests in mom’s 3rd trial for baby who died in microwave

China Arnold's attorneys Jon Paul Rion (left) and Kevin Lennen (right) rested their case Wednesday in the defense of China Arnold who is standing trial for the third time for murder, accused of killing her infant daughter in a microwave oven.

Chris Stewart/Staff China Arnold's attorneys Jon Paul Rion (left) and Kevin Lennen (right) rested their case Wednesday in the defense of China Arnold who is standing trial for the third time for murder, accused of killing her infant daughter in a microwave oven.

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By Lou Grieco, Staff Writer Updated 1:28 AM Thursday, May 12, 2011

DAYTON — China Arnold’s defense team rested its case Wednesday afternoon, one day after starting to present witnesses on her behalf.

The final witness Wednesday morning was a DNA expert, who testified that Terrell Talley was the father of Paris Talley, the 28-day-old girl who died in a microwave oven Aug. 30, 2005.

Arnold, 31, is charged with aggravated murder in the baby’s death. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.

Earlier Wednesday, two police detectives were questioned about their roles in the investigation.

Some witnesses from Arnold’s prior two trials were not called by either side, including:

• The medical experts who testified for the defense that Arnold was too drunk at the time of the homicide to have committed it.

• Linda Williams, who testified in the first trial that Arnold told her she put the baby in the microwave — then testified in the second trial for the defense that her prior testimony was false.

• A boy who testified for the defense in the second trial that he saw another child place the baby in the microwave.

It was not clear whether prosecutors would put on a rebuttal case, but closing arguments are expected today.

The first trial ended in February 2008 in a mistrial after the boy, who was 5 in August 2005, came forward — after the defense had rested — and said he saw another child put the baby in the oven.

Arnold was convicted of all charges in September 2008 and sentenced to life without parole. The Ohio Second District Court of Appeals reversed that conviction in November, focusing on issues surrounding Williams’ testimony.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2057  or lgrieco@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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