Wanton murder conviction overturned in child’s death

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Pointing to a change in Kentucky’s homicide statutes, the state Supreme Court has overturned a wanton murder conviction for a Louisville woman who was sentenced to 35 years in the death of her 2-year-old son, who was left inside a car for about 12 hours.

The court said in its ruling Thursday that the General Assembly in 2000 created a new type of second-degree manslaughter to apply in such circumstances. As a result, the court said such conduct does not support a conviction for wanton murder.

The justices sent the case of Mollie Shouse back to Jefferson Circuit Court for a new trial. They said a conviction would be capped at second-degree manslaughter.

In May 2011, Shouse’s son was found dead while strapped in his car seat.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.