Murrieta couple pleads not guilty in child torture case
A Murrieta couple charged with child abuse and torture of the man's 5-year-old son entered not guilty pleas Thursday in a Murrieta cou...
http://www.murrieta247.com/2017/08/murrieta-couple-pleads-not-guilty-in-child-torture-case.html
A Murrieta couple charged with child abuse and torture of the man's 5-year-old son entered not guilty pleas Thursday in a Murrieta courtroom.
Benjamin Whitten, 33, and Jeryn Johnson, 25, are accused of causing severe injuries to the boy, who remains in grave condition in a San Diego hospital. They were arrested Aug. 15 after Murrieta Police officers responded to a 911 call in the 24000 block of Verdun Lane and found the boy comatose and living in "extremely unsanitary" conditions.
Whitten and Johnson are being held in lieu of $1 million bail. They are due back in court Oct. 6 for a felony settlement conference. Whitten is the father of the boy and Johnson has been identified as his live-in girlfriend.
The case has drawn considerable media attention and expressions of outrage and concern from residents. One group has organized a "Justice for Feno" Facebook group, which has nearly 5,000 members.
Benjamin Whitten, 33, and Jeryn Johnson, 25, are accused of causing severe injuries to the boy, who remains in grave condition in a San Diego hospital. They were arrested Aug. 15 after Murrieta Police officers responded to a 911 call in the 24000 block of Verdun Lane and found the boy comatose and living in "extremely unsanitary" conditions.
Whitten and Johnson are being held in lieu of $1 million bail. They are due back in court Oct. 6 for a felony settlement conference. Whitten is the father of the boy and Johnson has been identified as his live-in girlfriend.
The case has drawn considerable media attention and expressions of outrage and concern from residents. One group has organized a "Justice for Feno" Facebook group, which has nearly 5,000 members.