RICHMOND — A jury has convicted an eastern Indiana couple on charges stemming from the dehydration death of their infant son.
A Wayne County jury found 22-year-old Amy Hockett guilty of murder and neglect and 25-year-old Joseph Pierson guilty but mentally ill of reckless homicide and neglect. The Palladium-Item reports the jury deliberated about six hours.
Three-month-old Khaiden Hockett.was found unresponsive a year ago inside the couple's Richmond home. The cause of death was dehydration due to starvation.
Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman told jurors Khaiden was born a healthy 8 pounds, 7 ounces, but weighed just over 6 pounds at death.
Pierson's attorney, Michael Dean, said his client believed the infant was receiving care based on lies Hockett told him.
Hockett's attorney, Patrick Ragains, argued she did not commit murder.
