Justices to hear arguments on LWOP appeal in toddler’s death

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A Madison County man sentenced to life for murdering his girlfriend’s toddler will take his appeal of his sentence to the Indiana Supreme Court this week.

The justices on Thursday will hear oral arguments in Ryan Ramirez v. State of Indiana, 20S-LW-430.

The case dates back to July 2018, when Kayla Hudson’s 23-month-old daughter Paisley died from a blow to the head and two lacerations to her liver. In early 2019, Hudson was convicted of Level 1 felony neglect of a dependent causing death to her daughter, as well as Level 3 felony neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury to her 3-year-old son.

Ryan Ramirez, Hudson’s boyfriend, was charged with Paisley’s murder and neglect of a dependent causing injury to the young boy.

A jury convicted Ramirez and recommended a sentence of life in prison without parole, and the Madison Circuit Court agreed. It also gave him a 14-year sentence for the neglect conviction.

In a direct appeal, Ramirez challenges the admission of some evidence, the exclusion of other evidence, a supplemental jury instruction concerning murder and his life without parole sentence.

Hudson also challenged her 40-year sentence, which was upheld in October 2019.

Justices will hear oral arguments in Ramirez’s case at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Indiana Statehouse courtroom. However, due to COVID-19 concerns, access to the courtroom will be limited to the justices, limited court personnel and no more than two attorneys per arguing party.

Others who are interested in watching the arguments may view the argument by live webcast outside the courtroom or remotely. 

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