ELMORE COUNTY, Ala. (TCN) — A man will spend two decades behind bars after his 2-month-old son, who prosecutors said looked like a skin-covered skeleton, died from neglect and malnourishment.
The 19th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office announced Sept. 18 that a judge sentenced Kristopher Matthews to 20 years. A jury previously convicted him in August of aggravated child abuse.
In imposing the sentence, Presiding Circuit Judge for the 19th Circuit Amanda Baxley addressed Matthews in court and said, “This case is horrific, and the jury’s message to me after the verdict was for all people connected to the death of this baby to be held responsible,” adding, “I wish I could sentence you to more than 20 years, but the law at the time of this offense handcuffed the prosecution and handcuffs me as well. Thankfully, the legislature has updated the law to address situations like this, and I appreciate them doing so.”…