Jury verdict: Not guilty in child’s death

KINGSTON -- An Ulster County Jury Monday afternoon returned a not guilty verdict on all counts of an indictment which charged a 25-year-old Ellenville man, with murdering a 10-month-old baby.

The jury acquitted Christopher Pitkin of murder in connection with the death of Antonio Torres on December 11, 2006.

The child had been in the care of Pitkin and was rushed to the hospital following a 911 which reported that the child had fallen from a bed and was not breathing. It was later determined that the child had a fractured skull and symptoms of the controversial Shaken Baby Syndrome.

The jury deliberated until early evening on Friday and resumed deliberations Monday returning its verdict shortly after 4 p.m. Pitkin’s attorney was Ben Ostrer of Ostrer and Rosenwasser of Chester.

“I certainly understand why the Ulster County district attorney felt it necessary to prosecute since it was an unattended death, but we think the evidence as presented to the jury warranted the not guilty verdict.”

Pitkin had been held in Ulster County Jail since his arrest on December 12, 2006 on $250,000.00 bail.

Ostrer said Pitkin would be returning to his family following processing at the Ulster County Jail.

The case was tried before visiting Acting Supreme Court Judge Roger McDonough in Ulster County Court.