Suspects in the Seth Ireland murder will go to trial

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By ABC30

Friday, October 9, 2009

Fresno, CA | Search Related Stories |

Judge Wayne Ellison found enough evidence to send LeBaron Vaughn to trial for murder. During a preliminary hearing, an investigator said Vaughn punched, kicked and stepped on 10-year-old Seth Ireland. He died in January after suffering a severe beating. Vaughn's Defense Attorney Jim Lambe says his client did not intend to kill the boy, "Everybody understands that Mr. Vaughn was angry and anger doesn't come from nowhere. It came from Seth's misbehavior. That doesn't excuse what Mr. Vaughn did entirely."

Seth's mother Rena Ireland was charged with injuring Seth, but the judge changed the charge accusing Rena of allowing her son to be in an abusive environment. Her Defense Attorney Antonio says that more accurately represents what happened to Seth, "She did make an attempt to stop the codefendant from hitting her son, both by words and actions. She tried to drag him away. He's a much bigger man."

Prosecutor Chris Gularte says the evidence shows Seth died at the hands of Vaughn, "We have charged Mr. Vaughn with homicide. We have charged him with the murder of Seth Ireland. We believe he intended to inflict those injuries. We are not in agreement with defense council that there was no intent to kill her."

Both the defendants return to court in November.