by Jade Wolansky
The case of the People v. Darnell Dorsey resumed on September 23, 2016, in Department 13 with Judge Paul Richardson presiding. Pursuant to Cal. Penal Code sections 273a and 273ab, Mr. Dorsey is charged with assaulting and inflicting deadly injury upon his girlfriend’s 20-month-old child, Cameron Morrison. Deputy District Attorney Michelle Serafin is representing the prosecution.
The first witness to take the stand was “VR,” Cameron Morrison’s mother. She appeared emotional, distraught and exasperated when she was testifying.
Ms. Serafin asked about Mr. Dorsey’s relationship with both Cameron and “J” (VR’s child with Dorsey, and Cameron Morrison’s older half-brother). VR stated that it was fatherly and playful.
The DDA asked if Mr. Dorsey was ever impatient with the children. VR stated that he would express these feelings with her, but not with the children. VR believed that Dorsey was still adjusting to parenthood.
Next, Ms. Serafin asked if Mr. Dorsey treated J and Cameron differently. VR replied that Dorsey was closer to J, but he cared for them equally.
The prosecution then asked about certain injuries and bruises on January 11, 2014, the day of J’s birthday party, and on January 27, 2014. VR stated that J was in good overall health, except for a hard cast on his arm, and that Cameron did not have bruises or cuts on his body.
Ms. Serafin inquired how Mr. Dorsey disciplined the boys. VR replied that it consisted of time outs, talking to the children and, very irregularly, spanking. The DDA asked if Mr. Dorsey ever used excessive force or left markings on J or Cameron. VR replied that he did not.
Next, the prosecution questioned VR about her relationship with the defendant. She asked if he was controlling or had a bad temperament. VR answered that controlling was too broad of a term. She explained that Mr. Dorsey had plans for their lives, such as improving their situation, taking care of the children or having more, and that he wanted VR to be on the same page as him. In respect to Mr. Dorsey’s temper, VR replied that she and Dorsey argued about finances, but he never blew up.
Ms. Serafin then asked VR about the family’s daily routine. VR stated that she would normally prepare dinner. However, if she returned late, Mr. Dorsey would cook and put the children to bed.
At this point, Ms. Serafin presented to the court several People’s exhibits. They consisted of photographs and a layout of VR’s living room and kitchen.
The DDA proceeded to ask VR about the events of January 22, 2014. VR stated that earlier that day, her aunts, niece and sons were playing in the living room area. Mr. Dorsey was in their bedroom resting. After leaving for the gym with her aunts and niece, VR realized she had forgotten her keys and gym membership. She went back quickly and retrieved the gym membership. She stated she had her cell phone with her.
Ms. Serafin asked if VR remembered telling Davis Police Department Officer Scott Allen that she had left her phone with Mr. Dorsey. VR replied: “I hate Scott Allen.” When pressed for her reasons, VR explained that she disliked Officer Allen because she felt that his report on the case was inaccurate.
The prosecution inquired if a transcript of her conversation with Officer Allen would help her memory. VR replied that she could read the document, but that would not mean she would remember the conversation.
After looking over the transcript, VR stated that the document reminded her of how frantic she was that day, and that she does not recall if she had actually had taken her cell phone with her or not.
Ms. Serafin had VR describe what had happened when she returned from the gym the night of January 22, 2014.
VR testified that she had returned close to midnight. When she arrived, she saw a flash of Mr. Dorsey rushing. She did not recall whether Mr. Dorsey was wearing clothes. She stated that Dorsey usually wore pants and no shirt at home. At the front doorway, Mr. Dorsey shouted that Cameron was not breathing.
VR took Cameron from Mr. Dorsey’s arms and went to her aunt’s vehicle. She stated that she was shouting at her aunts to drive, while she performed CPR on Cameron. VR informed the court that her aunts were medical assistants.
At this point, Ms. Serafin asked how VR had performed CPR. VR replied that she had laid her left hand flat and used her right hand clenched in a fist to pump Cameron’s chest.
Ms. Serafin inquired if her aunts had instructed her to only use two fingers. (It is suggested by medical professionals that only two fingers are used when performing CPR on small children.) VR replied that they may have, or they had just informed her to pump his chest. They were facing forward and could not see VR and Cameron in the back seat. She stated that she did not recall how many pumps she had performed, only that she was breathing into his mouth as he was trying to gasp for air.
Once they had arrived at the Davis Dutch Bros. kiosk, the paramedics placed Cameron in the emergency vehicle. From there, they drove to Sutter Davis Hospital. He was then transferred to UC Davis Medical Center. VR stated she remained with him until Cameron passed away on January 25.
When asked about Officer Allen, VR explained that she did not want to speak with him since she did not want to leave the hospital and Cameron.
The prosecution halted questioning when the witness began to cry.
Next, Ms. Serafin continued her queries about the CPR that VR had performed. The Deputy DA asked if she had informed anyone that she had used her fist. VR answered that she had not, since no one had asked her about it – today in court would be the first day she had informed anyone.
The case is scheduled to reconvene on Monday, September 26, 2016, in Department 13.
