Jury deliberates shaken baby case in Minnesota

Jurors in southeastern Minnesota are deciding whether a 24-year-old man caused the injuries that led to the death of his young stepson.

Tylar Hokanson has pleaded not guilty to accusations he repeatedly shook the 17-month-old boy, then refused to get him medical treatment. A 12-member jury in Dakota County District Court began deliberating the case Monday.

Prosecutors allege Hokanson shook his stepson in June 2009, causing bleeding in his brain, a broken back, blunt force trauma and other injuries. Nicholas Miller died several days later at a relative's house in Pierce County, Wis.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports defense attorney Lauri Traub says the prosecution didn't prove that Hokanson's actions caused the child's death.

---

Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.