The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office will appeal a ruling that granted a new trial to a father convicted more than two decades ago of killing his infant son in what was called a “shaken baby” case.
Danyel Smith, now 51, was convicted in the death of his 2-month-old son, Chandler Smith, 24 years ago. Smith has maintained his innocence since his trial and conviction.
The Georgia Supreme Court sent Smith’s case back to a judge after medical and engineering experts testified that Chandler likely died from natural causes related to birth complications rather than abuse. The judge determined that a reasonable juror presented with the evidence would likely acquit Smith and threw out his murder conviction…