Watch CBS News

Md. Court Upholds Baby Killer's Conviction

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland Court of Special Appeals has upheld the manslaughter conviction of a Pennsylvania man convicted of killing his girlfriend's baby in Hancock in 2010.

The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown reports that a three-judge panel ruled Monday on the appeal of Nicholas McKee, 24.

The former resident of Warfordsburg, Pa., is serving a 35-year prison sentence for killing 6-week-old Bella Appel-McKee.

The panel rejected McKee's claims that the trial court rendered inconsistent verdicts and that there wasn't enough evidence to support his conviction for reckless endangerment.

Prosecutors contended McKee shook the baby to death in January 2010 while tormented by doubt about her paternity.

He was convicted at a bench trial of involuntary manslaughter, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.