Judge to decide on change of venue request in Cape Girardeau infant abuse case

The attorney for Allen R. Walker Jr., a Cape Girardeau man accused of abusing his 7-week-old son, causing his death, is requesting her client's three-day jury trial be moved to a new county.

Circuit Court Judge Benjamin F. Lewis will decide to grant or deny the motion Nov. 8.

Walker pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and child endangerment last week, the same date Lewis set his case for trial. Jury trial is set to begin March 29 of next year.

Walker was charged with the two felonies Aug. 25, three days after the infant's mother found bruises on her son's face and head. Once looked over by doctors in Cape Girardeau and St. Louis, it was determined the child had several skull fractures, severe bruising above the left eye, cheek and chin and rib fractures that were already healing.

Dr. Jane Turner, an assistant medical examiner for the city of St. Louis who testified at Walker's preliminary hearing, said the injuries were consistent with ones she commonly sees in abuse cases. Turner also testified that the child's brain hemorrhages weren't consistent with ones that would be caused by a Pack-and-Play falling on top of the baby, which is what Walker told Cape Girardeau investigators happened while he was watching the infant Aug. 22.

Walker remains in custody at the Cape Girardeau County Jail.

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