25-year term for killing infant
GOSHEN, N.Y. » Michael Heil was sentenced in Orange County Court on Thursday to 25 years to life in state prison for killing his 7-week-old son.
“The judge, following our strong recommendation, sentenced this defendant to the maximum sentence authorized under the law,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “There can be no more innocent a victim than an infant, and no greater crime than a father killing his own baby.”
A jury in September convicted Heil, 27, of Middletown, of two counts each of murder and manslaughter in the death of Zachary Heil. Each charge carries its own prison term, but by law, they must run concurrently.
Prosecutors argued that on Aug. 7, 2016, Heil slammed, severely shook or threw the baby. The infant lived for two weeks on life support before succumbing.
During the trial, nine medical witnesses testified for the prosecution and two experts testified on behalf of Heil. Prosecutors argued the evidence from all of the medical experts established the infant had suffered catastrophic head injuries while being cared for by Heil.
Prosecutors maintained the evidence established Heil had subjected his son to traumatic head injuries, while the baby’s mother was at work. Electronic and social media evidence demonstrated Heil’s growing pattern of frustration over his son’s inconsolable crying as a result of colic. The pattern continued in the hours and minutes prior to the baby becoming unresponsive.
The defense argued the infant’s mother had injured him.