Convicted Microwave Killer Mom Seeks New Trial

An Ohio woman who was convicted last week of killing her baby daughter by burning her in a microwave is seeking a new trial based on the changed testimony of her former jailhouse lover. China Arnold was convicted of aggravated murder of her 3-week old daughter who died Aug. 20, 2005.

Meanwhile, the jury could not decide on whether or not Arnold would receive the death penalty, so she was given a life sentence.

Arnold's attorney Jon Paul Rion told reporters that a former cellmate of Arnold's has changed her story. Linda Williams testified at Arnold's first trial that she had confessed to putting her daughter into the microwave after having an argument with her boyfriend about whether he was the baby's biological father.

The first trial was declared a mistrial after a juvenile came forward and told the judge that he was at the apartment on Aug. 30 and someone else put the baby in the microwave. At the second trial, which ended Friday, the boy's mother testified that they lived a long way from Arnold's apartment and the boy was not there that day.

Started Microwave and Left the House

Also at the second trial, Williams did not testify, but the jury saw a videotape of her testimony in the first trial. She said that her and Arnold had a sexual relationship while they were cellmates and Arnold told her the baby "fit right in" the microwave.

"She said she put the baby into the microwave and started it and left the house," Williams testified.

Now, according to Rion, Williams has changed her story. Rion said Williams is now "ready to tell the truth."

"I have interviewed Linda Williams this day and the statements made during that interview are in total and complete contradiction to the testimony given at the previous trial," Rion wrote in an affidavit requesting a new trial.

See Also:
Defense Seeks New Trial in Baby Microwave Death
China Arnold Convicted of Killing Baby in Microwave

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Women Who Kill Their Children

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