Salem woman’s manslaughter sentence upheld

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A judge has ruled that a video used in the trial of a woman sentenced to 10 years in prison following the death of her 3-year-old daughter isn’t unfairly prejudicial and the woman must serve the rest of her sentence.

The Statesman Journal reports that Mercedes Alvarado received the ruling in Marion County Circuit Court on Friday.

Alvarado’s boyfriend, David Gene Elliott, in 2016 pleaded guilty to murdering Aniya Zamora and is serving life in prison.

Alvarado was convicted of manslaughter in 2015 but the Oregon Court of Appeals issued a ruling questioning that result after defense attorneys contended the circuit court failed to properly justify the video’s relevance.

Judge Dale Penn says the video shows Elliott was a person of concern and a new trial would be meaningless.

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Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com