McElheny found not guilty of killing his 4-month-old baby - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports
TROY, N.Y. - The jury in the murder trial of Joseph McElheny made a unanimous decision: Not guilty of murder or manslaughter.
The jury was deadlocked on one charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and McElheny will be back in court on Tuesday to face that charge.
McElheny, of Hoosick Falls, was on trial for killing his 4-month-old baby daughter, Ina.
Prosecutors claimed the baby died at the hands of McElheny's abuse, but the defense claims Ina suffered from an underlying medical condition that led to the internal injuries that took the baby's life.
Jurors say the testimony of McElheny and his wife Melinda swayed the case.
"Hearing both Joe and Melinda McElheny speak, was highly influential on myself," said juror Nathaniel Erkstrom. "I believe it also had an impact on a lot other jurors as well."
The pictures and video of a smiling baby Ina also played a pivotal role in the verdict.
"She never seemed to be in any discomfort. There was never any evidence, at least to me, that she was in pain or being mistreated," Erkstrom said.
After the trial, Melinda McElheny read a statement to the press. In it, she said that District Attorney's and police across the country are caught in an epidemic where they wrongfully accuse families of harming their children and influence "under-qualified" medical examiners in the process.
"We need to shine a light on child abuse, but not at the expense of tearing apart innocent families. And not with a blind eye toward the injustice that results from jumping to conclusions," said Melinda.
The jury deliberated for four days, after a three-week long trial.
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