GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Opening statements were made in the new trial against a Gwinnett County father accused of not doing enough to protect his 8-year-old daughter before she was allegedly beaten to death with a rolling pin by her stepmother.
Channel 2′s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson was back at the courthouse, where there was a mistrial just last week after a jury couldn’t reach a verdict.
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Cledir Barros is on trial again for second-degree child cruelty. A judge declared a mistrial last week after a jury couldn’t reach a verdict.
A new set of jurors heard opening statements on Tuesday morning.
Sayra Barros, 8, died in January after police say her stepmother, Natiela Barros, beat her multiple times with a wooden rolling pin while angry at her at their home near Bethlehem.
Prosecutors say Barros knew his wife was abusive toward Sayra but withdrew her from school and left her alone with her stepmother to be home-schooled.
“He called her a demon,” said Assistant District Attorney Megan Matteucci. “He told his teachers this little girl was possessed by a demon and that she was his punishment for being unfaithful in his relationship.”
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Barros’s attorney says his words were likely misinterpreted. She told jurors Barros traveled a lot for work and believed his wife when she told him previous incidents that left Sayra bruised were accidents.
“He had no idea a rolling pin, a spoon, anything else was being used on this child because he had said no more corporal punishment,” said defense attorney Tracy Drake.
One of Sayra’s teachers testified that her father removed her from school two months before her death, despite Sayra being a great student. Sayra had been caught stealing snacks, the teacher testified, but it was an isolated incident.
“I was surprised he would un-enroll her over taking a couple of items,” said Laura Herring.
Barros and his wife are also accused of not immediately calling for medical help. Natiela Barros allegedly called a pastor and her husband and never called 911. Prosecutors say the father didn’t call 911 for nearly 90 minutes after learning about the beating over the phone.
Natiela Barros is awaiting her own trial for murder.
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