Posted: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 12:00 am
RAWLINS (AP) - A Rawlins man has been charged with murder in the death of his infant son.
Andrew Olsen, 20, of Rawlins was charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder following the death of the 2-month-old child Thursday at a hospital in Denver.
Before the baby's death, Olsen had been charged with felony child abuse. According to a police statement filed in court, Olsen told police he was caring for the baby last month in the family's apartment after the baby's mother went to work.
According to the statement, Olsen told police that the child was crying and screaming and he "lost control" and shook the baby and smashed his head against a car seat that was on the couch in the apartment.
The child was taken to a Denver hospital. Doctors told police last month that the baby had suffered brain damage and was not expected to live.
The first-degree murder charge alleges that the homicide occurred during the commission of felony child abuse. The attempted first-degree murder charge states that Olsen took a "substantial step" during the beating of the child to cause his death.
Olsen had an initial appearance in Carbon County Circuit Court last week. His bail remains set at $750,000 cash.
Chief Deputy County Attorney Cal Rerucha said his office would drop the charge of felony child abuse against Olsen to pursue the murder and attempted murder charges against him.
Olsen appeared in the court hearing via video from the Carbon County Jail. John DeLeon, his lawyer, sat with him.
DeLeon did not ask for a reduction in bail, but said he believes Olsen is not a danger to the community.
Olsen should have a preliminary hearing on the murder and attempted murder charge within 10 days in Circuit Court.