Jury acquits woman in murder of stepson
A jury in Jasper County has acquitted Crystal Desormeaux, 23, on a charge of capital murder in the death of her stepson, 21 month old Triston Dobbins.
The jury deliberated for about one hour before returning with the verdict at about 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Desormeaux will be freed from jail because she has already posted bond on charges remaining against her, including tampering with evidence and failure to report a felony.
She and he husband, Leo Desormeaux IV, 28, were charged with capital murder in the December, 2007 death at their home in Evadale.
A medical examiner said the child died of severe injuries to his head.
Leo Desormeaux IV hasn't stood trial on the charge against him.
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Earlier story by KJAS
The capital murder trial of Crystal Desormeaux moved into it's fourth day on Thursday with jurors hearing more testimony from sheriff's department investigators, and a powerful video interview with Crystal that was shot with a hidden camera on the same day that Triston Dobbins was found dead. Crystal and her husband, Leo, are accused of murdering Leo's 20 month old son on December 9th, 2007 in their Evadale home.
The video shows investigators Curtis Frame and Stacy Chambers questioning Crystal and showing her very graphic photos of Triston's body. Crystal appeared to cry on the video; however, at certain points in the video the investigators left the room and Crystal stopped crying and grabbed her cell phone out of her purse and began doing something with the phone. When investigators came back into the room, Crystal would place the phone back into her pocket and began crying again.
As jurors were watching the video, many were turning to see Crystal's reaction in the courtroom.
During the afternoon, District Attorney Steve Hollis said that he plans to call former Investigator Stacy Chambers back to the witness stand, and he will show jurors another videotaped interview of Crystal. The state may rest their case as soon as 3:00.
