Expert Testifies On Drug Effects In Baby Exorcism Murder Trial

CONROE — The jury in the Rusk County baby murder case resumes hearing testimony Monday with defense witnesses hoping to secure a life sentence for Blaine Milam. The prosecution seeks a death sentence.
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Milam and his girlfriend, Jesseca Carson, were arrested on Dec. 2, 2008, for the beating death of Ms. Carson’s 13-month-old daughter Amora. Ms. Carson’s trial date has not been set.

The prosecution, led by Rusk County District Attorney Micheal Jimerson, offered jurors evidence Amora was beaten, sexually abused and bitten more than 20 times during the murder that lasted hours.

Shortly after the arrests, the couple told sheriff’s authorities they were performing an exorcism on the child they believed was possessed by demons.

During Friday’s proceedings, the defense had Dr. Patricia Rosen, a toxicology expert, testify about the effects methamphetamines have on a person and to describe the levels found in Milam after he was taken into custody in 2008.

Dr. Rosen said a user of methamphetamine at the levels Milam had in his systems could experience hallucinations and other delusions. However she could not say exactly how much Milam may have taken or if he took the drugs before or after Amora’s death.

Dr. Rosen said her assumptions were based on Milam’s weight, the amount found in his system when he was tested and then using a formula to extrapolate her findings.
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[Texas Attorney General prosecutor Lisa Tanner] asked if, at the peak of methamphetamine use a few years ago, there was ever a rash of people killing babies because taking the drug. The doctor said no.
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