Last month, accused baby-killer Nicole DeJaynes balked when County Court Judge Anthony Aloi offered her chance to plead guilty to manslaughter in exchange for a sentence of 15 years in prison.
She’s slated to be back in county court Tuesday, Feb. 14, the date which Aloi set as her deadline to accept the plea deal or proceed to trial on charges of second-degree murder.
DeJaynes, 30, was indicted on Nov. 17 in connection with the death of her newborn daughter who was found in a Pearl Street trash bin last January in the village. An Onondaga County Grand Jury also charged DeJaynes with two counts of first-degree manslaughter.
Wishful thinking?
You can understand how DeJaynes might pine for a shorter prison term, but how can she possibly think that a jury would even consider acquitting her?
Would a jury believe that a woman who has birthed three previous babies really didn’t realize she was pregnant until her water broke? Would jurors buy DeJaynes’ story that she panicked after the sudden surprise of giving birth?
Her attorney, the capable veteran counsel Tom Ryan, has hinted that he’s prepared to attack the coroner’s report indicating that the infant was asphyxiated after it was born at Hiddenbrook Terrace apartments. But even if Ryan convinces jurors that the baby was born dead, they’re sure to look unfavorably on the mother’s subsequent actions, or – more specifically – her lack of action.
“She denies having done anything to harm the baby,” Ryan insists, but a jury would certainly disapprove of the fact that DeJaynes never called 911 and never tried to confirm the baby’s condition with medical professionals. Instead, she wrapped the child in a towel and deposited its tiny corpse in a parking-lot dumpster.
And she walked away.
Could a jury ever understand a mother making such a selfish decision?
I doubt it.
Mercy for mother?
Eight days after the dead baby was discovered in the dumpster on Jan. 6, 2011, Liverpool Police arrested DeJaynes and charged her with murder. Prior to the mother’s arrest, the LPD named the baby Isabella Marie. Even in death, the infant remained a ward of the state, according to LPD Chief Bill Becker. While police investigated the baby’s death, the department received permission from the state to name and to bury the infant.
The burial took place last March 26 at Liverpool Cemetery following a funeral Mass at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church.
DeJaynes, who lists her home address as 4336 Forestbrook Drive, off Morgan Road in Clay, remains held without bail at the Corbett Justice Center in Syracuse.
If the mother stands trial and is subsequently convicted of second-degree murder, she could be imprisoned for 25 years to life. The district attorney’s office had sought a sentence of 18 years on a manslaughter plea, but Aloi lowered it to 15 years, according to court officials.
Considering the circumstances, 15 years seems a relatively merciful sentence.
Business blooming?
What’s going on over at Chris’ Flowers Etc.?
On Dec. 27, the business at 141 First St. was seized by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. It was the second time in four years that the state seized the florist shop. The state claims the owner, Christine Wojtalewski, 46, of 5014 Homeview Drive, Liverpool, owes more than $430,300 in unpaid sales taxes and penalties.
The taxmen wasted no time in recouping some of the money they say they’re due. The shop’s contents were auctioned off Jan. 26 on the site.
Now, just in time for the heart-and-flowers holiday, signs posted in the shop windows proclaim, “Re-opening for Valentine’s Day, new name, same talented designer, new owner, same great service, same phone – We’re back!”
Go figure.
