Westmoreland County Father Accused In Infant's Death Found Guilty
GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- A Westmoreland County man accused in connection with the 2011 death of his infant daughter has been found guilty of third-degree murder by a jury.
The jury deliberated for a little over four hours before convicting 26-year-old Clayton Mibroda on Friday afternoon.
Mibroda took the stand earlier this week in his own defense; placing the blame for the child's death on the child's mother. He said that again Friday as he was led out of the courthouse in handcuffs.
"Please don't let Kayla get away with this," Mibroda said.
Earlier, Mibroda stood by his attorneys with his eyes closed as the verdict was read in court. Family members sobbed in the courtroom.
"I'm not exonerating Clayton. Clayton, in my mind, he should have taken the baby out of the situation but he's not guilty of murder," said Tim Mibroda, Clayton's father said.
Prosecutors argued Mibroda's various explanations on how the child was injured defy logic.
In December of 2011, the Indiana County Coroner's Office ruled the death of 20-day-old Natalee Mibroda a homicide. According to the coroner, the baby died from blunt force trauma to the head and chest.
Mibroda and the child's mother both took the stand earlier this week offering different explanations about what happened.
A third-degree murder conviction carries a sentence guideline of 20 to 40 years, so it's unlikely it will turn into a life sentence. His formal sentencing will be held in about 90 days.
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Bolivar Man Charged In Newborn's Death (12/30/11)
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