Lindsay Gootee in court today – defense requests extension for discovery

Lindsay Gootee was in court today for her omnibus hearing. Gootee was arrested Nov. 30, 2011 for the aggravated battery of her son. Jasper Police Detective Lisa Miller began an investigation on Oct. 18, 2011, after Gootee’s son was transported to Memorial Hospital for seizures that occurred at the daycare where he was placed.

Gootee’s appearance today was to determine a date for the jury trial, however, Gootee’s attorney, Michael C. Keating of the Evansville firm Keating and LaPlante Attorneys at Law, asked for an extension due to difficulties in obtaining medical records about the child’s injuries and admission to Memorial Hospital.

Keating stated that Riley Hospital has provided all the records on the infant’s admission and examination but Memorial has declined to do so due to a Child in Need of Services (CHINS) petition being granted effectively making the infant victim a ward of the state.

Keating told Judge William Weikert that due to this case’s likelihood of becoming “a battle of medical experts'” opinions on the injuries, the records were essential for Keating to build a defense. Keating indicated the State would assist in obtaining the records for his case.

Judge Weikert rescheduled an omninbus hearing for Mar. 9, 2012 to give Keating time to receive and review the records.

Gootee declined to comment.

[box]

Here is a list of articles in reference to this ongoing case:

• Jasper woman arrested for aggravated battery of a 6 month old
• Developing story on the Lindsay Gootee arrest
• Extent of abuse and time frame indicated in mom’s arrest
• Gootee arraigned today in Dubois Circuit Court
• Detective Miller says the Gootee case is ongoing
• Lindsay Gootee pretrial hearing today

[/box]