Michigan Supreme Court Overturns Murder Conviction in Infant Death Case

DETROIT (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has overturned a 2006 murder conviction related to the death of an infant, Nakita Lemons, in a case that has drawn attention due to evolving views on shaken baby syndrome. The court's decision was influenced by new scientific opinions and a change in the autopsy findings from nearly two decades ago. Lemons, who was caring for Nakita when she died in 2005, was initially charged with first-degree murder based on autopsy results and her statements to police. Nakita had experienced breathing issues since birth and was just a few months old at the time of her death. The prosecution's case relied heavily on the assertion that the infant's death was a result of shaken baby syndrome. However, in 2017, the original autopsy doctor revised his opinion, suggesting that Nakita may have choked on baby formula instead. The Innocence Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School, which has a history of challenging wrongful convictions, presented additional expert testimony, including insights from a biomechanical engineer. Despite the prosecution's efforts to uphold the shaken baby syndrome theory, a judge and the state appeals court had previously maintained Lemons' conviction. The Supreme Court acknowledged the incriminating statements made by Lemons but indicated that a new jury might view these confessions as potentially false. Dissenting Justice Brian Zahra criticized the majority for relying on what he deemed "extraordinarily suspect evidence," arguing that there was insufficient scientific backing for the claim that Nakita's brain injuries resulted from choking.