A trial for a man accused of child abuse and murder is underway in Salina.
Following opening statements, testimony began Tuesday in a trial stemming from the 2012 death of a child. 27-year-old Troy Love is facing charges that include first degree murder and two counts of child abuse.
The case stems from the April, 2012, death of 18-month-old Bre’Elle Jefferson. After being found unresponsive, Bre’Elle was taken to Salina Regional Health Center on the afternoon of April 9th. She was transferred to a Wichita hospital, where she died a day later on April 10th.
After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Love turned himself into Salina Police on April 23rd.
Prosecutor Christina Trocheck Tuesday told jurors that the state would show that injuries that lead to Bre’Elle’s death were the result of abuse she suffered from Love while she was under his care. Love, who was at the time the boyfriend of Bre’Elles’ mother, helped watch her children while she recovered from a back injury.
Defense Attorney Roger Struble said that he would show that the injuries were caused by “someone other than Love”. He also said that he would explain Love’s actions the day that Bre’Elle was taken to the hospital in Salina. He left the scene on April 9th, and was not seen again until he turned himself in two weeks later.
The trial is expected to last through at least this week.
