Michigan high court taking case of man convicted in girl's death

LANSING (AP) - The Michigan Supreme Court will hear the case of a Battle Creek man serving life in prison for the death of a 3-year-old girl. The Battle Creek Enquirer recently reported that the state's high court will hear arguments in early March in the case of Leo Ackley. A jury convicted him of felony murder and first-degree child abuse for the August 2011 death of Baylee Stenman. A Calhoun County judge granted a new trial, concluding his trial attorney didn't do enough to find medical experts to explain the case. The Michigan Court of Appeals overturned the decision. Authorities say the then-25-year-old Ackley was watching Baylee while her mother was working. Ackley testified he didn't harm the girl but a pathologist says she died from a blow to the head. Published: Tue, Feb 03, 2015