SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A 48-year-old San Antonio man who skipped court since jurors began deliberating whether he was responsible for the death of his 3-year-old adopted daughter has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Matthew Aranda was missing Thursday for a second straight day as jurors decided he should receive the maximum sentence after convicting him of reckless injury to a child.
Aranda’s $250,000 bond has been revoked and he’s considered a fugitive.
Prosecutor Cliff Herberg tells the San Antonio Express-News (https://bit.ly/1jlnZ8E ) the jury’s verdict indicates they don’t look kindly on someone who skips out during their trial.
Aranda was convicted of the 2009 death of Melody Velasquez. He contended the child fell down some carpeted stairs. Evidence showed more than a dozen fractures and bruises over her body.
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Information from: San Antonio Express-News, https://www.mysanantonio.com
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