An appeals court is asking a judge to explain a ruling in the case of a western Pennsylvania man sentenced to 15 to 30 years in the death of his premature infant daughter.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the state Superior Court says it needs more information from Westmoreland County Senior Judge John Blahovec before ruling on an appeal by 27-year-old Clayton Mibroda of Bolivar.
Mibroda was convicted of third-degree murder in the death of 20-day-old Natalee. A coroner ruled that she died from head and chest injuries in December 2011.
The defense blamed the child's mother and contends that the judge erred in barring testimony alleging that the child's mother was addicted to drugs while she was pregnant.
The appeals court wants an explanation of that decision.
