A Bexar County jury will decide the fate of Brandon Lee Cervera, 31, who is accused of starving his 4-year-old son Benjamin to death in 2021.
The trial began on September 24th, over three years after Benjamin tragically died in a San Antonio hospital. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be starvation. Cervera faces a charge of injury to a child, causing serious bodily injury.
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Jurors heard testimony from a police officer who responded to a welfare check at Cervera’s home in 2021. The officer described Benjamin as having visible injuries, including bruises and being extremely thin.
Cervera’s defense argued that Benjamin’s behavioral issues led to self-inflicted injuries and that his small stature was natural. They also claimed that doctors had not expressed concerns about his health shortly before his death.
Prosecutors presented images of Benjamin’s body, highlighting his severe malnourishment and abuse. The medical examiner’s testimony further supported the presence of bruising, contradicting the defense’s claims.
The trial is ongoing, and the jury will ultimately determine whether Cervera is responsible for his son’s tragic death.
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