ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 18, 1996 TAG: 9612180078
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-17 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WILMINGTON, DEL.
A teen-age couple accused of dumping their newborn son in a motel trash bin pleaded innocent Tuesday to murder. One of their lawyers contended the baby was born brain-damaged and wasn't harmed by his parents.
Amy Grossberg and Brian Peterson Jr. sat one seat apart in the courtroom and spoke quietly for a few minutes before Superior Court Judge Henry duPont Ridgely entered.
It was the first time the two high school sweethearts have seen each other since Nov.12, when Grossberg gave birth to the 6-pound, 2-ounce baby in a Newark motel. Police found the baby in the trash, wrapped in plastic.
The two pleaded innocent and were both refused bail. Trial was set for Sept.9.
Peterson and Grossberg, both 18, were indicted a week ago on two counts each of murder. One count carries the death penalty; the other, life in prison without parole.
An autopsy concluded the baby was born healthy and died of skull fractures and brain injuries. Investigators don't know if the baby was injured before or after he was put in the trash.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 32 linesby CNB