Posted on 09/11/2009 10:18:56 AM PDT by Steelfish
San Diego County Man Guilty Of Killing Baby, Former Lover
Dennis Potts, 25, was convicted of first-degree murder in the strangling deaths of his 10-month-old son and the boy's mother, Tori Vienneau, who was pushing for a paternity test.
Associated Press September 10, 2009
A San Diego County man was convicted of first-degree murder Thursday for strangling his 10-month-old son and the baby's mother because she was pressuring him to take a paternity test.
A Superior Court jury deliberated for two days before convicting Dennis Potts, 25, of killing 22-year-old Tori Vienneau and their child, Dean, in 2006.
In closing arguments Tuesday, prosecutors argued that Potts had a secret relationship with Vienneau and strangled her because he did not want anyone to know that he was the baby's biological father.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Per Hellstrom said Potts agreed to take a mail-in paternity test but submitted another man's DNA sample instead.
Vienneau had recently told Potts that she was taking him to court over the baby's paternity, Hellstrom said.
Vienneau's mother, Dayna Herroz, said she was thrilled with the verdict.
"It has been three years that we have waited for justice," Herroz said. "We have always known who was responsible for this and today Tori and Dean finally got the only justice that we can have on Earth."
Potts' defense attorney, Kelly Armstrong, argued that another man killed the mother and child.
Potts, of Bonita, faces life in prison without parole when he is sentenced Nov. 6.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Wow, what a sad story and what a shame. The woman and kid never had a chance.
Digusting. RIP.
OLTG's Rules for a Happy Life #3541: "Don't make babies with crazy people."
He murdered a ten month old and the mother but only got life?
His a$$ should be swinging from the gallows before the sun sets on the day after his first appeal is over.
“Potts, of Bonita, faces life in prison without parole when he is sentenced Nov. 6.”
We’ll see if it’s truly “without parole.” There are $ to be saved by freeing inmates early in CA.
Judge - “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury - have you a verdict?”
Jury - “Yes, we do. We invoke Rule 303.”
Judge “Baliff - you heard the foreman, take the trash out now.”
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