People v. Bitson CA2/1

BACKGROUND

1. Bitson and Bennett Kill Bitson’s Four-Year-Old Son The following background is taken from this court’s opinion following Bitson’s appeal from the judgment of conviction. “Defendants Morgan Bitson and her boyfriend Tristian Bennett killed Bitson’s four-year-old son Major Woods. The fatal blow severed Woods’s liver in two, causing him to bleed profusely. Prior to that time, defendants inflicted many additional wounds

Undesignated statutory citations are to the Penal Code.

2 on Woods. While in their care, Woods suffered broken ribs, burn marks, bruises, a broken arm, and the loss of vision. Defendants restricted Woods’s food, causing him to suffer from hunger and chronic stress and to lose muscle tissue. Although the evidence did not show if Bitson or Bennett inflicted the fatal blow, the overwhelming evidence demonstrated that both abused him; one or both inflicted the fatal wound; and both lied about the events causing Woods’s death.” (People v. Bitson (Dec. 20, 2018, B275154) [nonpub. opn.].) Bitson and Bennett were the only persons responsible for Woods’s care. “Forensic pathologist James Ribe performed an autopsy and testified at length about Woods’s…