Trumbull judge approves funding for renowned defense witness

WARREN — A judge has approved the hiring of an expert witness at a cost of up to $10,000 to assist with the defense of a Southington woman accused of killing a 3-month-old baby at a Newton Falls day-care facility last June.

Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court approved the expenditure today for Sarah Kaiser, 29, of McConnell East Road, charged with murder, felonious assault and child endangering.

Kaiser was ruled indigent and is being represented at the state’s expense by Atty. Alan Matavich of the Ohio Public Defender’s Office.

Matavich said he plans to employ Dr. Cyril H. Wecht of Pittsburgh, one of the best-known forensic pathologists in the country, author of several books and an attorney.

Wecht has performed roughly 17,000 autopsies and has supervised, reviewed or has been consulted on about 30,000 more, according to his website.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com