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Edwin Tirado testifies in his own
defense
October 9, 2007
By Matt McFarland
Click here to watch video
ALBANY -- Edwin Tirado took the
stand in his own defense during his trial on reckless manslaughter
charges in Albany County Court Tuesday. Tirado is accused of
smothering 13 year old Jonathan Carey to death during a field trip
from the O.D. Heck Developmental Center in Niskayuna. The incident
occurred last February. The defense began its case with testimony
from friends and coworkers describing Tirado as a dependable and
reliable person.
Tuesday afternoon, Tirado took the
stand in his own defense. Defense attorney Brian Donohue used a
bench from the court house hallway to help Edwin Tirado show the
jury how he restrained Jonathan Carey, who had autism. He showed
jurors how he crossed his arms over the boy's chest. When it didn't
stop the former aide says he laid the boy down, sat in front of him,
grabbing his arms and legs. Tirado told jurors that he stopped the
restraint because he thought the boy had fallen asleep.
"I think he held up well. It's a
very difficult thing to do, to testify and he got his side out and
that's the main thing," said defense attorney Brian Donohue.
But under cross examination,
prosecutor David Rossi put the pressure on.
Tirado admitted to working a lot of
overtime, even multiple double shifts, saying the night Carey died
he was tired and exhausted. Rossi asked 'Are you telling the jurors
that you killed a 13 year old boy because you were tired?'
Tirado said 'No, I didn't kill
him'. He then admitted that he was the only person who placed his
hands on Jonathan that night.
"He was a little more combative
that I thought he would be. He is such a mild mannered guy, I didn't
expect him to be quite as spunky," said defense attorney Brian
Donohue.
Jonathan Carey's parents say Edwin
Tirado can say whatever he likes on the stand, but add the blame
still falls on him.
"He was trained to properly
restrain Jonathan and he did not do it properly. He was trained in
CPR and he did not CPR and he did everything to try to cover up his
deeds," said Jonathan's father Michael Carey.
Closing arguments in the case are
scheduled to begin Wednesday morning.
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