Murder verdict in baby’s death

Bill Gang

Thursday, May 28, 1998 | 10:12 a.m.

Nellis AFB Airman Brandon Parish was convicted Wednesday of first-degree murder for the child abuse slaying of his girlfriend's infant daughter, but the jury was hung on a murder charge against the mother.

Dawn Mathiasen, 21, was convicted of child abuse and neglect with substantial bodily harm for leaving the 20-month-old alone with a man she had been told was suspected of prior abuse.

Immediately after the jury verdict, District Judge Joseph Bonaventure revoked Mathiasen's bail and ordered her taken into custody until a June 15 sentencing that could result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Her attorney, Ulrich Smith, said she "is prepared to go to prison" although he will ask the judge to give her probation.

For Parish, who is facing a mandatory life prison sentence with or without the possibility of parole after 20 years, a penalty hearing has been scheduled for June 8. His fate will be determined by the jury that convicted him.

Mathiasen had faced second-degree murder charges alleging she ignored instructions by police after an earlier abuse incident to keep the girl, Samantha Storm, away from the purported abuser.

She didn't and the baby was beaten to death on April 17, 1997, while her mother was at a fast-food restaurant.

The jury was deadlocked on the murder charge.