MONROE - A Brodhead man convicted of killing his 2-month-old son in January, told Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer at the end of a status conference Tuesday that he had "numerous concerns" about his trial.
Casey J. Shelton, 33, was convicted of first-degree reckless homicide Jan. 17 in the death of his son, Christopher, Feb. 28, 2007, at a Decatur township residence. He faces up to 40 years in prison and 20 years extended supervision. The court scheduled a June 9 status conference to continue Shelton's case.
Shelton's comments came at the end of his scheduled status hearing. The court didn't schedule a special time for Shelton to speak. Shelton told Beer he cleared his comments with his attorney, and wanted to make a statement to the court.
"Every time a child dies it's a tragedy, but it's not a crime," Shelton told the court.
Shelton told Beer Green County Sheriff's Department detectives focused on him as a suspect from the beginning, and that he had problems with the testimony from Dr. Robert Corliss, a pathologist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his own attorney.
"Dr. Corliss altered his testimony to fit the prosecution's case," Shelton said. "Do you listen to a rookie doctor or a veteran doctor who has testified more than 100 times?"
Shelton was referring to Dr. John Plunkett, a former medical examiner in Minnesota who testified on Shelton's behalf.
"There were procedural errors, misconduct by the prosecutor and an ineffective defense counsel," Shelton said.
Shelton was represented at the murder trial by Michael Murphy, but Murphy withdrew from the case in January after Shelton made comments to third parties which were critical of Murphy's abilities as a defense attorney.
Shelton said he would welcome a discussion with Green County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Kohl. Kohl refused to respond to Shelton's comments.
After the hearing, Kohl said there has been an effort by professional defense witnesses to discredit evidence of shaken baby syndrome.
Kohl wouldn't comment on anything else Shelton said in his statement to the court.
Beer didn't comment on any of the things Shelton brought up during his statement, either.
Shelton's hearing Tuesday was to determine if the transcripts from his trial and motion hearings have been completed in order to facilitate his sentencing.
Shelton's attorney, Katherine Findley, told Beer she hasn't received all of the transcripts from Shelton's trial.
There are some transcripts of the trial and motion hearings that haven't been done. The court reporter explained she has asked for assistance from the state to help with the transcripts, but no one has been able to help her, she said. The court reporter has to find time at night or on weekends to transcribe the court proceedings because she is in court from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, she said.
Findley told the court in March she wanted to have all of the transcripts from the case before Shelton could be sentenced in the case. Shelton originally was scheduled to be sentenced March 18.
She also said a separate trial for Shelton, in which he is charged with child abuse in connection to injuries sustained by his other son, Christopher's twin brother, Charles, in 2007, also would have to be delayed.
In the second case, Shelton is charged with two counts of child abuse, one a Class G felony and the other a Class H felony. He faces up to 16 years in prison and up to $25,000, if convicted.
Shelton remains jailed. His bond was revoked after the jury found him guilty Jan. 17.
Casey J. Shelton, 33, was convicted of first-degree reckless homicide Jan. 17 in the death of his son, Christopher, Feb. 28, 2007, at a Decatur township residence. He faces up to 40 years in prison and 20 years extended supervision. The court scheduled a June 9 status conference to continue Shelton's case.
Shelton's comments came at the end of his scheduled status hearing. The court didn't schedule a special time for Shelton to speak. Shelton told Beer he cleared his comments with his attorney, and wanted to make a statement to the court.
"Every time a child dies it's a tragedy, but it's not a crime," Shelton told the court.
Shelton told Beer Green County Sheriff's Department detectives focused on him as a suspect from the beginning, and that he had problems with the testimony from Dr. Robert Corliss, a pathologist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his own attorney.
"Dr. Corliss altered his testimony to fit the prosecution's case," Shelton said. "Do you listen to a rookie doctor or a veteran doctor who has testified more than 100 times?"
Shelton was referring to Dr. John Plunkett, a former medical examiner in Minnesota who testified on Shelton's behalf.
"There were procedural errors, misconduct by the prosecutor and an ineffective defense counsel," Shelton said.
Shelton was represented at the murder trial by Michael Murphy, but Murphy withdrew from the case in January after Shelton made comments to third parties which were critical of Murphy's abilities as a defense attorney.
Shelton said he would welcome a discussion with Green County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Kohl. Kohl refused to respond to Shelton's comments.
After the hearing, Kohl said there has been an effort by professional defense witnesses to discredit evidence of shaken baby syndrome.
Kohl wouldn't comment on anything else Shelton said in his statement to the court.
Beer didn't comment on any of the things Shelton brought up during his statement, either.
Shelton's hearing Tuesday was to determine if the transcripts from his trial and motion hearings have been completed in order to facilitate his sentencing.
Shelton's attorney, Katherine Findley, told Beer she hasn't received all of the transcripts from Shelton's trial.
There are some transcripts of the trial and motion hearings that haven't been done. The court reporter explained she has asked for assistance from the state to help with the transcripts, but no one has been able to help her, she said. The court reporter has to find time at night or on weekends to transcribe the court proceedings because she is in court from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, she said.
Findley told the court in March she wanted to have all of the transcripts from the case before Shelton could be sentenced in the case. Shelton originally was scheduled to be sentenced March 18.
She also said a separate trial for Shelton, in which he is charged with child abuse in connection to injuries sustained by his other son, Christopher's twin brother, Charles, in 2007, also would have to be delayed.
In the second case, Shelton is charged with two counts of child abuse, one a Class G felony and the other a Class H felony. He faces up to 16 years in prison and up to $25,000, if convicted.
Shelton remains jailed. His bond was revoked after the jury found him guilty Jan. 17.