LINCOLN, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - Jurors heard continued testimony Monday from the state's child abuse pediatrician before the defense began calling its own witnesses in the first-degree murder trial of a Logan County woman accused of killing a toddler.
Cierra Coker is charged with first-degree murder in the 2022 death of 19-month-old Sophia Davis. Prosecutors said Coker beat the toddler to death while she was in her care. Coker has pleaded not guilty.
The day began with the continuation of defense attorney Jeffrey Page's cross-examination of Dr. Channing Petrak, a child abuse pediatrician who reviewed Sophia's medical records and autopsy findings.
Page questioned Petrak about the medical information she considered when forming her opinions, asking whether a child's birth history and primary care records are all important factors.
Petrak agreed those records are important but testified she did not review Sophia's primary care records in their entirety.
The defense also questioned whether qualified medical experts reviewing the same records should reach similar conclusions. Petrak testified her findings represent her medical opinion, adding it is not an exact science, and qualified doctors can reach different conclusions.
Page reviewed Sophia's medical history, including several medical visits in 2021 for decreased appetite and fever.
The defense then focused on Sophia's hospitalization in February 2022. Petrak agreed Coker reported Sophia was sweating and vomiting before she was taken to the hospital.
Page questioned Petrak about hospital records showing Sophia later developed anemia, patchy lung opacities that could be consistent with pneumonia, elevated lactic acid levels and a diagnosis of coagulopathy by a critical care doctor.
He also pointed to CT scans taken by radiologists who did not identify brain contusions or definitive brain hemorrhaging.
Petrak testified elevated lactic acid can indicate several conditions and acknowledged Sophia may have developed disseminated intravascular coagulation, or DIC, later in her hospitalization, though she did not believe the child had DIC when she initially evaluated the case.
The defense also challenged Petrak's opinion that Sophia suffered a fracture to her left arm, citing a skeletal survey in which a radiologist reported no fractures. Page noted forensic pathologist Dr. Nathaniel Patterson also testified he did not identify a fracture.
Petrak disagreed, testifying Patterson's written report was consistent with her findings, and she was not changing her opinion.
The defense then displayed Sophia's autopsy photos while questioning Petrak about several injuries. Petrak maintained her opinions that Sophia likely suffered vertebral fractures and that bruising to the jawline and buttocks were consistent with child abuse.
She disagreed with Patterson's testimony that some bruising could have resulted from medical intervention or the handling of the toddler. Petrak also testified injuries to the side of Sophia's face were not consistent with being struck by a door and bruising on her buttocks was not caused by a fall.
Page also questioned Petrak about her experience as an expert witness. Petrak acknowledged she primarily testifies for prosecutors, rarely testifies for the defense and routinely consults with law enforcement and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
She also testified she did not review microscopic slides in this case.
During the redirect, Prosecutors questioned Petrak about several issues raised during cross-examination.
Petrak testified Sophia's four doctor visits over the time period discussed were not unusual for a child her age. She said Sophia's red blood cell count was at the low end of normal for her age and anemia can result from many causes, including blood loss.
She also testified elevated lactic acid levels can occur with trauma and maintained Sophia did not have sepsis or a bleeding disorder.
Prosecutors showed the jury X-rays of Sophia's left shoulder and arm, which Petrak testified showed findings consistent with a buckle fracture. They also displayed X-rays of Sophia's right shoulder, where Petrak testified she found no abnormalities.
Addressing the defense's questions about a Jan. 3 incident in which Sophia was reportedly struck by a door, Petrak testified abrasions on the front of Sophia's face were consistent with that account, but bruises to the side of her face and patterned bruising on her buttocks were not.
Petrak testified Patterson agreed with her on Sophia's cause of death and maintained the injuries occurred before Sophia arrived at Lincoln Memorial Hospital.
The defense then began presenting its case, calling several family members to testify about Coker's character.
Ashley Bodine, who testified she is related to Coker through Coker's stepfather, said she had observed Coker around children and described her as nonviolent and peaceful.
Coker's mother, Heather Beuchen, also testified Coker was peaceful around children. Coker's stepfather and stepsister gave similar testimony.
Each witness acknowledged they were not present during either incident in which Sophia was injured while in Coker's care.
Court adjourned early Monday because of a scheduling conflict involving one of the defense's witnesses. The defense is expected to continue presenting witnesses Tuesday morning.