Jury Deadlocked In Trial Of Father Accused Of Killing Baby

A 2nd District Court jury couldn’t agree whether Edwin Twitchell, 28, was guilty of murdering his 6-week-old son, Colt, so a mistrial has been declared.

Nez Perce County Prosecutor Denise Rosen said Twitchell will be tried again. A scheduling conference is planned Wednesday. On the same day, Twitchell faces a court hearing that he tried to escape from jail on Aug. 15, 11 days before his trial started.

Police and paramedics were summoned Jan. 29 to the house occupied by the baby’s mother, Michelle Downing, and Twitchell. They found the baby having difficulty breathing. He was airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, but died there.

During the trial, medical testimony indicated the severe head injuries Colt suffered could only have been caused by child abuse. But a pathologist said the baby could have been injured when his head was banged hard against a stationary object.