Sitter had no role in
tot’s death, lawyer says
A Liliha baby sitter accused of causing the death of an 8 1/2-month-old baby in 1997 was not responsible, her attorney said yesterday.
Beryl Young went on trial yesterday in Circuit Court, accused of second-degree murder in the death of Justin Cruz, one of several children she was caring for at her Liliha home on Sept. 30, 1997.
"Beryl Young did not strike Justin Cruz, Beryl Young did not shake Justin Cruz. She did not injure him in any way and she did not cause his death," said Howard Luke, Young's attorney, during opening statements.
But Deputy Prosecutor Glenn Kim said the evidence will show that the infant suffered severe bleeding and swelling of the brain, which medical experts will say was inflicted.
The only person who could have done it was Young, Kim said.
The infant's parents -- Beth, an HMSA claims supervisor, and Reymando Cruz, a chief engineer at Outrigger Reef Hotel -- testified yesterday that their son was fine early that Monday when they left him with Young.
In the afternoon, they were called by Young, who said Justin had stopped breathing and had been sent by ambulance to Kapiolani Hospital. He died upon arrival at the hospital.
Luke said he will have local medical experts who will contradict the findings of the state's experts. The infant was suffering from other ailments, contrary to the parent's contention that the baby was fine when he was dropped off, he said.
