The murder trial of a mother accused of strangling her eight year old daughter continued Wednesday in Erie County Court.
Candace Cartagena is accused of strangling her daughter Bianca in a jealous rage in November 2010.
Two weeks ago, the defense called in forensic pathologist Dr. Jonathan Arden, who testified that he thought Bianca died from a heart ailment, and not from strangulation. Wednesday, attorneys questioned Doctor Kim Collins, another forensic pathologist, who blamed Bianca’s death on asphyxiation by head, neck or chest compression, with the possibility of smothering.
A verdict in this non-jury trial is scheduled to be rendered Monday by Justice Thomas Franczyk.