A Jessup man convicted of shaking his 5-month-old son to death two years ago asked for a reduced sentence Wednesday before a three-judge panel in Anne Arundel County.
Savoy Saunders, 27, appeared before Anne Arundel Circuit Court Judges Joseph Manck, Paul Hackner and Paul Goetzke to appeal what his defense attorney called a “harsh” 30-year sentence imposed on him by Judge Ronald Silkworth in April.
Public defender John Gunning argued that incorrect sentencing guidelines were used that treated his client?s second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death convictions as two separate events.
“There was no intent on Savoy?s part to injure Jeremiah Saunders ? he found himself that day totally incapable and unprepared to care for Jeremiah,” he said.
Jeremiah?s mother asked Saunders to baby-sit him that afternoon in May 2004. Jeremiah happened to be suffering from flu-like symptoms, which Gunning argued made Saunders unprepared to care for him.
When Jeremiah?s mother picked him up later, she noticed significant injury to his body and took him to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Jeremiah suffered from brain damage that was the result of “violent and sustained shaking,” doctors testified in court.
At the hearing Wednesday, Assistant State?s Attorney Kathleen Rogers said Saunders did not deserve a reduced sentence because of the violent nature of his son?s death. Rogers said Jeremiah suffered from bruises that covered his entire buttocks and went a half-inch deep into his skin, which indicate he was beaten severely before the shaking. She also noted that Saunders shook the baby so violently that his retinas were detached at the time of his death.
“What type of person could do all of that to an infant?” Rogers asked the judges. “He has no shame, no remorse, no guilt, no conscious.”
Rogers also told the judges Jeremiah?s mother “has spent many nights sleeping at the cemetery at her son?s grave” and her “biggest fear” would be Saunders? freedom because she wants to protect Jeremiah?s twin brother.
