A Lincoln man is currently defending his innocence in front of a jury, as he faces accusations of killing an infant in 2023.
Opening statements commenced on Tuesday for Joshua Tackett, 33, as the prosecution presented witness testimonies and other evidence suggesting his involvement in the tragic death of the infant.
“There will be numerous photographs of Junior and his injuries, depicting him before and after Mr. Tackett. Once you view these photographs, you will witness the significant and numerous injuries that can only be attributed to rage and intent,” stated Prosecution Attorney Amy J. Goodro.
Tackett was initially arrested in March of 2023 on felony gun charges and has been in custody since officers were summoned to CHI St. Elizabeth Hospital. Police were contacted by staff members who found a 22-month-old boy displaying clear signs of abuse.
The attorney representing Tackett has stated that there is no evidence linking his client to the abuse of the boy.
“The prosecution is unable to provide evidence of how Rudy Gabar sustained his injuries,” stated Defense Attorney Darik Von Loh.
In March of 2023, the authorities reported that Brittany Cook, the mother of the toddler who tragically passed away, had put him down for a nap and discovered him unresponsive. According to her statement, she observed frequent bruising on her son ever since she started dating Tackett in January of 2023.
Cook is facing charges of child abuse resulting in death, with her trial scheduled to start in September.