Wednesday was the second time this week that Partin was in the front row of Judge Greg Stephens’ courtroom awaiting a hearing on a motion to continue the trial. And again, friends and family of the 3-year-old victim, Hannah Wesche, were also in attendance wearing bight blue “HannahStrong” T-shirts.
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In the motion for continuance, defense attorney Chris Pagan stated, “this is a medical opinion case,” and argued more time is needed to consult with experts about the timing of the toddler’s head injuries.
The defense received from the prosecution on Nov. 9 new opinions about the time frame of the child’s injuries, according to Pagan.
Assistant Butler County Prosecutor Kelly Heile argued the evidence provided was not new, but supplemental to reports provided in July.
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The defense motion also references a confession expert they hired who needs more time to complete his work.
“There are some unexpected findings that will require that I review in more depth this case with your client,” Dr. Scott Bressler, clinical director at the University of Cincinnati Division of Forensic Psychiatry, wrote in a letter to Pagan on Nov. 20.
Bressler has reviewed police interrogations of Partin and he is “essential to the defense,” Pagan wrote.
Stephens said he will issue a ruling on continuing the trial by the end of the week.
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Partin, who was the child’s babysitter, allegedly fatally assaulted Wesche after the girl exhibited toddler behavior, according to court documents filed by the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office.
The toddler suffered significant and severe bruising to her face, chest and neck on March 6 because Partin said Hannah “dumped ketchup in the toilet,” according to court documents filed by Butler County prosecutors.
Two days later, after Hannah’s father, Jason Wesche, dropped off his daughter, Partin recklessly abused the toddler resulting in traumatic brain injury, cervical spinal cord hemorrhage and optic nerve sheath hemorrhages, according to court documents.
Partin’s trial was originally set to begin Oct. 2, but the prosecution asked for a continuance due to a witness not being available to testify during that time.
Her two-week trial is currently scheduled to begin Dec. 11.
Partin, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, is free on $75,000 bond.
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