Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Baby killer dad waives arraignment; charged with murdering 9-month-old daughter by shooting her in the head (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

Dad CHRISTOPHER RAINS blew off his arraignment in the shooting murder of his 9-month-old daughter. Guess there wasn't much reason to show up when his recorded confession is on the 911 tape. His lawyer entered a "not guilty" plea, so I suppose something is up.

http://www.koat.com/news/22030232/detail.html

Rains Waives Arraignment In Child Slaying Case
POSTED: 4:55 pm MST December 21, 2009
UPDATED: 5:36 pm MST December 21, 2009

A man accused of shooting and killing his 9-month-old daughter did not appear in court Monday.
Instead, Christopher Rains waived his arraignment.

"I just shot my baby, I just shot my baby," the 22-year-old told a 911 dispatcher earlier this month.

On the call, he admitted to shooting and killing his baby daughter Trinity.

"I shot her in the back of the head," Rains said.

Police said Rains confessed to killing the baby because her mother, Ashley Trujillo, no longer wanted to be with him.

Trujillo told Action 7 News the last few weeks have been extremely difficult.

"You go through many different emotions," Trujillo said. "Numbness, shock, depression."

Rains did not show up in court Monday. Instead his lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Last week, Rains was indicted on nine felony counts including first degree murder. He also faces charges for child abuse resulting in death and kidnapping.

A for Trujillo, she said she has not spoken to Rains since the incident and instead is focusing on all the happy moments of her child's life.

"We remember her presence, her pictures, her laughter her happiness. Yeah we talk about the good moments of her," Trujillo said.

Rains continues to be held on a $500,000 cash only bond.

Attorneys on both sides will now sit down with a judge and set a trial date.

The district attorney's office said a first public motion is expected to take place early next year.

If convicted, Rains could face life in prison.