Statements made by Dietrich Williams to State Police during an investigation into a shaken baby case in June can be used at his trial, Judge Robert Noonan ruled this morning.
Williams, currently held in Genesee County Jail, is charged with assault in the first degree and reckless assault of a child.
The content and nature of his statements were not discussed in court today, but he spent nearly eight hours in State Police custody June 25, after being picked up at a residence he shared with his girlfriend at 14 Hutchins Place.
The baby's name is Mariah and she was reportedly critically injured. Both Defense Attorney Jerry Ader and District Attorney Larry Friedman are waiting for the hospital to produce the baby's medical records for evidentiary review.
Williams is accused of shaking the baby and hitting Mariah's head against a hard object.
Shaken Baby Syndrome has come under new research scrutiny recently, and researchers suggest that the baby's head hitting a hard object may be a key element to any crime.
In his ruling, Judge Noonan said that Williams was made fully aware of his rights and had every opportunity to request an attorney or to cut off questioning. There was nothing improper about the State Police agent's questioning, Noonan said.
State Police investigators who specialize in violent crimes assisted in the investigation.
