Kiley found not guilty on child endangering charge
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
After approximately nine hours of deliberations, a jury of seven women and five men returned a not guilty verdict for a Hillsboro man who was charged with one count of second-degree felony endangering children.
Gregory Kiley, 34, was tried over the course of two days in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
As Clerk of Courts Ike Hodson read the verdict aloud Thursday morning, family members of the victim and defendant because crying.
The state, represented by the Highland County Prosecutor's Office, had alleged that on April 24, 2010, Kiley had shaken a 3-year-old he was babysitting so severely that the injuries the child sustained left him in a wheelchair.
The defense, represented by Chillicothe attorney Jim Boulger, had alleged that the child had a pre-existing medical condition, and that the injuries could have been sustained while he was playing on a merry-go-round, or when he was knocked down by a dog."
The child spent two months in Children's Hospital in Columbus, and had multiple surgeries, including having a portion of his skull removed. Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins had told the jury in her opening statements that the toddler was previously able to walk, talk and play. Now, he is confined to a wheelchair, is fed through a feeding tube, wears diapers and says few words.
The jury began deliberations Wednesday at approximately 2 p.m. They were dismissed for the day at 8:40 p.m., and resumed deliberations at 9 a.m. Thursday. They returned the verdict just after 11 a.m.
Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss thanked the jury for their service.
Once the jury was dismissed, some family members of the victim began crying so loudly that court personnel asked the jury to wait to leave until the courtroom had been cleared.
"The jury doesn't need to see this," the employee could be heard saying as one of the victim's family members yelled, "But (the defendant) was the only one with (the victim). How could anyone not see that?"
In his opening statements, Boulger told the jury, "No one will claim they saw Gregory Kiley do anything."
Kiley shook hands with Boulger after the verdict was read.
When court was dismissed, Boulger said that his client was, "grateful for the diligence of the jury. They worked very hard. It was a tough, tough case. There is no win in this situation, but we are glad they gave us an acquittal."
Boulger said that, "Shaken baby cases have become very controversial. Shaken Baby Syndrome itself has become controversial."
Collins said, "I feel for this family. In the eyes of the law, justice is served. But I don't feel like we did justice (for the victim."
After approximately nine hours of deliberations, a jury of seven women and five men returned a not guilty verdict for a Hillsboro man who was charged with one count of second-degree felony endangering children.
Gregory Kiley, 34, was tried over the course of two days in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
As Clerk of Courts Ike Hodson read the verdict aloud Thursday morning, family members of the victim and defendant began crying.
The state, represented by the Highland County Prosecutor's Office, had alleged that on April 24, 2010, Kiley had shaken a 3-year-old he was babysitting so severely that the injuries the child sustained left him in a wheelchair.
The defense, represented by Chillicothe attorney Jim Boulger, had alleged that the child had a pre-existing medical condition, and that the injuries could have been sustained while he was playing on a merry-go-round, or when he was knocked down by a dog."
The child spent two months in Children's Hospital in Columbus, and had multiple surgeries, including having a portion of his skull removed. Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins had told the jury in her opening statements that the toddler was previously able to walk, talk and play. Now, he is confined to a wheelchair, is fed through a feeding tube, wears diapers and says few words.
The jury began deliberations Wednesday at approximately 2 p.m. They were dismissed for the day at 8:40 p.m., and resumed deliberations at 9 a.m. Thursday. They returned the verdict just after 11 a.m.
Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss thanked the jury for their service.
Once the jury was dismissed, some family members of the victim began crying so loudly that court personnel asked the jury to wait to leave until the courtroom had been cleared.
"The jury doesn't need to see this," the employee could be heard saying as one of the victim's family members yelled, "But (the defendant) was the only one with (the victim). How could anyone not see that?"
In his opening statements, Boulger told the jury, "No one will claim they saw Gregory Kiley do anything."
Kiley shook hands with Boulger after the verdict was read.
When court was dismissed, Boulger said that his client was, "grateful for the diligence of the jury. They worked very hard. It was a tough, tough case. There is no win in this situation, but we are glad they gave us an acquittal."
Boulger said that, "Shaken baby cases have become very controversial. Shaken Baby Syndrome itself has become controversial."
Collins said, "I feel for this family. In the eyes of the law, justice is served. But I don't feel like we did justice (for the victim)."
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