ATLANTA -- A Fulton County judge has acquitted a woman on trial for the beating death of her infant daughter.
Superior Court Judge Kimberly Esmond-Adams ordered the directed verdict Monday for Tatiana Lima. Lima said she was in shock after the judge cleared her of the 2010 death of her daughter, Akira.
WSB-TV reports the baby's father, Jeremy Copeland, is serving life for the infant's death. He testified that Lima was not responsible for the injuries, including a fractured skull and ribs.
District Attorney Paul Howard Jr. said the judge has the discretion to grant a directed verdict, but the matter of guilt or innocence should have been decided by the jury.
Associated Press