Sargent In Court: Judge Refuses Lesser Charge
WMBD/WYZZ
- PEORIA - A Peoria father, charged with murdering his 5 month old son tried
unsuccessfully to get the charge reduced to involuntary manslaughter. James Sargent and the child's mother Tracy Hermann
are both charged with the February 2008 murder of their five month old son, Benjamin
Sargent. In arguing for the lesser
charge Friday, a defense psychiatrist testified James Sargent suffers from
bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder and Sargent was unaware of
what was going on around him at the time of the child's death. Benjamin
Sargent was found dead in his
crib, seated in a car seat, dressed in a snowsuit in an 80 degree room. Prosecutors say the child apparently hadn't
been moved or fed in eight days and died of starvation due to neglect by the
parents. Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons says he won't seek the
death penalty in the case if the pair is convicted.
By: WMBD/WYZZ Bob Larson
Updated: March 27, 2009
WMBD/WYZZ
- PEORIA - A Peoria father, charged with murdering his 5 month old son tried
unsuccessfully to get the charge reduced to involuntary manslaughter. James Sargent and the child's mother Tracy Hermann
are both charged with the February 2008 murder of their five month old son, Benjamin
Sargent. In arguing for the lesser
charge Friday, a defense psychiatrist testified James Sargent suffers from
bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder and Sargent was unaware of
what was going on around him at the time of the child's death. Benjamin
Sargent was found dead in his
crib, seated in a car seat, dressed in a snowsuit in an 80 degree room. Prosecutors say the child apparently hadn't
been moved or fed in eight days and died of starvation due to neglect by the
parents. Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons says he won't seek the
death penalty in the case if the pair is convicted.
