Statement from Nixzmary Brown's Mother Heard in Court
New York, NY —
A videotape describing the brutal details that lead to the death of 7 year old Nixzmary Brown was played in a Brooklyn courtroom today. It's been nearly a year since the child was found beaten to death.
REPORTER: Her parents have been charged with her murder. During a pre-trial hearing lawyers for Nixzaliz Santiago asked that the tape be thrown out as evidence. In it, Santiago tells investigators how her husband fatally beat Nixzmary. She also says she told him to stop but was pre-occupied with caring for her other children.
Attorney Robert Abrams represents Santiago and says her client did not understand what she was doing.
ABRAMS: Of course she had the right to have a lawyer there but she didn't have a lawyer there because she thought that if she just answered the questions she would get her children back. We're are not talking about a woman who is skilled or even arrested before.
REPORTER: Santiago faces 15 years to life if convicted. She and Cesar Rodriguez sat side by side as the tape was played. She cried once and he remained expressionless through most of the hearing.
