Whisper
#byefelicia
David William Barber
http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_25118445/oroville-man-pleads-not-guilty-severe-child-abuse?source=rssAn Oroville man has pleaded not guilty on charges he badly injured an 8-year-old boy.
Defense attorney Jesse Santana entered the pleas this morning on behalf of defendant David William Barber, 32.
Barber is charged
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with felony counts of torture, corporal injury to a child and child endangerment likely to cause great bodily injury. He also faces the special allegation he committed the acts while he was released from custody on his own recognizance.
If convicted of torture, the defendant faces a sentence of seven years to life in state prison, Santana said
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Oroville police arrested Barber on Saturday following a week-long investigation into the alleged abuse of the boy. Officers took the boy into protective custody after receiving the report.
According to police, the boy's injuries included two severe black eyes, both sides of his buttocks were completely bruised and other smaller bruises on his back and chest.
Barber was reportedly the live-in boyfriend of the child's mother. Police allege he repeatedly used a belt on the boy and punched him, including in the genitals.
Judge Tamara Mosbarger set a Feb. 26 preliminary hearing in the case.
Santana sought additional time because he needed to review discovery evidence and research Barber's background as a disabled veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Deputy district attorney Jennifer Dupre-Tokos said the prosecution didn't want to delay the preliminary examination.
Santana also sought to postpone Barber's sentencing today on a felony elder theft charge. Dupre-Tokos argued that the victim had a constitutional right to make a statement to the court and to be present for key events, like sentencing.
Judge Mosbarger said the victim could give his statement, but postponed sentencing giving the seriousness of the new case.
Barber remains in custody, without bail for the elder abuse case. Mosbarger maintained bail in the child abuse case at $1.125 million.