Court hears mum found baby looking like ‘ragdoll’ in alleged rape and manslaughter trial

Seven years after the death of her baby son, an Alice Springs woman said she found her child looking like a “ragdoll” after leaving him to be cared for at another house, a court has heard.

Oliver Deighton is on trial over the death of Michael Smedley.

Seven years after the death of her baby son, an Alice Springs woman said she found her child looking like a “ragdoll” after leaving him to be cared for at another house, a court has heard.

Tayla Smedley answered questions in the Alice Springs Supreme Court in a trial where the Crown alleges Oliver Deighton, aged 27, raped and caused the death of her son Michael Smedley in 2012.

The court heard Michael came under the care of one of Ms Smedley’s friends who was in a relationship with Deighton at the time.

Alice Springs pleads not guilty to rape and death of infant

Oliver Deighton (left) and defence barrister Scott Corish walking into the Alice Springs Supreme Court on Monday.

Deighton’s partner came back home from work and found him with the “limp” baby, according to the Crown.

Ms Smedley said when she arrived at the house she saw her friend “doing CPR on what basically looked like a ragdoll”.

The baby died later that day the Crown said.

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In his opening address to the jury, Deighton’s barrister Scott Corish said there was no evidence to link Deighton with sperm heads that the Crown alleges were observed in a sample taken.

“ … those sperm heads are not linked to Oliver Deighton in any way, there is no DNA linking …” Mr Corish said.

Deighton has pleaded not guilty to charges of engaging in conduct causing death and having sexual intercourse without consent.

The trial continues.