A judge on Tuesday denied a request to lower the bond of a West Haven man accused of causing the death of a 5‑month-old boy last summer.
The man, Angel Santiago, 35, has been behind bars since December on $1 million bond. He is accused of causing the death of the 5‑month-old boy, Kyle Robinson, in June 2011.
On Tuesday, his lawyer, Public Defender David Egan, asked Judge Richard Arnold in Superior Court in Milford to lower that number to $250,000, saying Santiago’s prior criminal record was “minimal” and that the case involves a “great deal of medical testimony” he sent to an expert for review.
He also noted that Santiago’s family members have driven to Connecticut from the Bronx on every one of his court dates.
“A million dollar bond would be appropriate if the defendant was charged with murder, but he’s not,” Egan said, noting that the most serious charge against Santiago is first-degree manslaughter. “A million dollar bond is totally inappropriate for a class B felony.”
In response, State’s Attorney Kevin Lawlor said Santiago had a more extensive criminal history than Egan had thought, listing prior weapons and drug convictions in New York State that dated back to the 1990s.
“The defendant doesn’t have a minimal criminal record, he has a substantial criminal record,” Lawlor said.
In addition, Lawlor said, Santiago stood accused Tuesday of “shaking the child so violently the child’s brainstem detached from its brain.”
“The evidence accrued I think is very strong against this defendant,” Lawlor added.
At the end of the hearing, Judge Arnold said that in the absence of any evidence contradicting the state’s — and Santiago’s criminal history — he would deny the motion.
“At this point there’s nothing to review to say what the basis of the defense is regarding complicated medical issues,” Judge Arnold said.
While the expert Egan asked to review the medical evidence against Santiago may come to completely different conclusions than prosecutors, Judge Arnold noted that “sometimes experts from both sides don’t disagree.”
“I see no reason at this point in time to grant the motion,” Judge Arnold said, adding that circumstances might change once the expert weighs in. “Everybody can take a fresh look as the evidence develops.”
He then continued the case to Sept. 12 at Egan’s request.
In May, during a previous hearing in the case, it was revealed that Egan had sent medical reports from the baby’s death to an expert in Michigan to review.
The doctor who performed the autopsy concluded Kyle Robinson died from blunt force trauma and ruled the death a homicide.
The 10-page arrest warrant used to charge Santiago with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault, and risk of injury to a minor does not provide a concise explanation of what happened to baby Kyle.
The warrant relies on statements from several doctors who determined Kyle died from injuries received shortly before he was brought to the hospital.
Police allege Santiago is the only person who could have done it, partly because he was the only adult watching the baby at the time.
Santiago was dating the baby’s mother at the time of Kyle’s death.
Click here to read more about the allegations against Santiago.
