A Jefferson County Jury on Thursday deliberated less than 30 minutes before finding a 26-year-old Mt. Vernon woman guilty for a second time on a Class X felony charge of aggravated battery to a child with great bodily harm. Abagail Adkins had her first conviction and 20-year prison sentence overturned by the Appellate Court based on Adkins receiving ineffective assistance of counsel after a defense attorney permitted Adkins to be interviewed without being present.
The jury found Adkins guilty based on the accountability theory. The boy’s father, Tyrone Steele, who was identified as the one who committed the abuse, was also tried and convicted of the Class X felony and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Court testimony in the cases indicated that ultrasound and CT scans showed the infant had bleeding between the skull and brain as well as 14 fractured ribs and a skull fracture.
Jefferson County State’s Attorney Sean Featherstun prosecuted the case. The trial last three days, including jury selection.
A sentencing hearing was set for June 15th.
