The defense began calling witnesses today in the trial of Hannibal day care provider Audrey Arnold, charged with causing brain injury to 15-week old Fajo Edwards. Arnold is accused of shaking the 15-week old infant May 31st, 2006 after she says he started convulsing, vomiting and then stopped breathing. Fajo suffered swelling and bleeding on the brain, losing the use of 75 per cent of it. Today Defense attorney James Ebey called expert witness neurosurgeon Ronald Uscinski, who spent hours reviewing Fajo's medical records. In the C-T scans, Uscinski claimed to show old as well as fresh blood in the subdural space between the skull and brain. He said, in his opinion, both are likely the result of on single event in the first few months of the baby's life. Calling it a chronic subdural hematoma, Uscinski said "fresh blood does not imply fresh trauma," suggesting it might have happened at birth.
Upon cross-examination , prosecutor Dodd sought to diminish the Uscinski's expertise by noting he never made written reports after reviewing Fajo's records, emphasizing Uscinski's conclusions are merely opinions and by noting he's a paid witness. The trial continues tomorrow.