A Fijian babysitter accused of murdering a 1‑year‑old baby says the child fell off a couch while sleeping but the prosecution told a jury today that the baby’s fatal injuries did not match the babysitter’s story.
21-year-old Shayal Upashna Sami denies murdering baby Aaliyah Ashlyn Chand on January 6, 2015 at her Worcester Street flat.
At the High Court in Christchurch this morning, Crown prosecutor Mark Zarifeh said Aaliyah died from severe head injuries, including two skull fractures, as well as bleeding in the cranial cavity and eyes.
The court also heard that she also had extensive bruises on her face, forehead and ears.
Zarifeh says the injuries were inconsistent with a fall from a couch.
He said a fall would not explain the child’s injuries.
Aaliyah died in intensive care at about 8.30pm the following day with her parents, Dev Chand and Anjani Lata, by her bedside.
The trial before Justice Rachel Dunningham is expected to take two weeks with the Crown looking to call 25 witnesses.
The prosecution alleges that it was a reckless killing, with the injuries inflicted by Sami “in a moment of anger or frustration”.
The trial will hear from Aaliyah’s parents.
Source: New Zealand Herald
