SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The trial commenced Tuesday in Sullivan County for a man facing first-degree murder charges related to the 2021 demise of a baby in Bristol.
Alexander Pender stands accused of causing the death of a 10-month-old child who was discovered unresponsive in September 2021.
Presiding over the proceedings is Judge Rogers. The State’s legal team is composed of Andrew Black, Josh Parsons, and Lauren Williams, while Pender’s defense includes attorneys Johnathan Cave, David Baker, and Christian Jones.
During the state’s presentation on Tuesday morning, the prosecution introduced three witnesses: the infant’s grandmother, the responding police officer who administered CPR, and a paramedic involved in the initial response.
Velda Pender, the defendant’s mother, told prosecutors that she woke up her son at around 1:30 to tell him the baby wasn’t breathing and that she did not see any injuries.
The State then called on Bristol, TN officer John Kistner, who testified that he was the first law enforcement personnel to respond and performed life-saving measures on the child, which were unsuccessful.
Jurors were shown body cam video from the other first responders during his testimony, which showed Kistner and paramedics performing CPR on the child.
The last witness called to the stand was Adam Walden, a Bristol paramedic. Walden also performed CPR on the child and helped transport the child to Bristol Medical Center.
A lunch recess was called until 1 p.m.
News Channel 11 will provide updates to the case as it continues.