Ex-Australian soldier found guilty over manslaughter of 6-week-old son

Ex-soldier Nicholas Baxter has been found guilty over the manslaughter of his six-week-old baby son, Matthew in Townsville.

The jury took 11 hours of deliberations before reaching the verdict in Townsville Supreme Court after a six-week trial. The jury heard from 40 prosecution witnesses and 19 defence witnesses.

The court heard the Baxter, an ex-army corporal, had called Bluewater Medical Practice in Townsville on November 3, 2011, to report his baby boy was “limp and had a purple rash on his back”.

The baby’s mother, Tenae Baxter was away at a boating course at the time. Matthew was taken to the Townsville Hospital neonatal intensive care unit but his life support machine was shut off three days later.

He was found to have severe retinal haemorrhages and 17 rib fractures, forensic pathologist Dr David Williams concluding he’d died from head trauma.

Tenae Baxter cried “No, no, no” after the verdict was read out.

She left the court in distress, supported by her mother and the legal team.

Baxter will be sentenced later this morning.

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