Court date of man accused in girl's death postponed until Feb. 27


By Rasheed Oluwa • Poughkeepsie Journal • February 11, 2009

Read Comments(51)Recommend (19)Print this page E-mail this article Share Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
Reddit
Newsvine
Buzz up! The court date of the suspect in the homicide of a 4-year-old City of Poughkeepsie girl has been postponed until Feb. 27.


It had been originally scheduled for today.

Edgar Reza, 21, was arrested and charged with second-degree man-slaughter Monday after he allegedly fatally injured Angelina Noelia Batta while baby-sitting her Thursday night. It is the city's first homicide of the year.

Batta's wake is scheduled for today at Parmelle Funeral Home in Poughkeepsie, according to her obituary.

Family members declined to comment Tuesday.

Reza, who is an illegal resident of the United States, pleaded not guilty to the charge in city court Tuesday and was sent to Dutchess County Jail. The city court set bail at $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond, but he now is being held on a detainer from U.S. immigration officials.

Reza pulled a blanket out from under Batta's feet, causing her to fall and hit her head, according to city police Detective Lt. William Siegrist. Reza tried to wake the child up by shaking her repeatedly.

Reza, who doesn't live at the residence, called the child's mother about 2:15 a.m. Friday and the mother returned home.

Police were called and transported the child to Vassar Brothers Medical Center. She was then flown to Westchester Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead Saturday morning. The Westchester County medical examiner ruled Batta died from bleeding and damage to her brain, according to Siegrist.

Siegrist said police had no contact with Reza prior to his arrest and there was no record of abuse by Reza against Batta or her mother.

Staff writer Emily Stewart contributed to this report. Reach Rasheed Oluwa at roluwa@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4823.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/arti ... /902110331