SPRINGVILLE, Utah, Nov. 21, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A Springville man accused of trying to kill his 4-month-old daughter has been convicted of attempted aggravated murder.
After deliberating for nearly five hours, a jury found 28-year-old Philip Hatfield guilty of the first-degree felony in Provo’s 4th District Court Tuesday, the Daily Herald in Provo reported.
Hatfield was also found guilty of class B misdemeanors assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
The incident occurred on Aug. 6, 2017, when Hatfield pushed his wife, who was holding their daughter, as they argued in their home in Springville, according to charging documents.
Hatfield’s wife told police that Hatfield reportedly pushed her until she dropped the infant before he picked up the child and threw her down on the concrete floor. He then threw the infant against a pool table and broke a picture frame on her. Two other small children were in the home at the time of the incident.
Police said Hatfield was arrested after he was found walking nude outside his home shouting he had killed his daughter.
Officers placed Hatfield in custody and then noticed his wife holding their critically injured child.
The infant was transported to Primary Children’s Hospital and treated for two skull fractures, extra-axial blood, swelling and bruising on her arms, face and legs, the Daily Herald reported.
Defense attorney Neil Skousen said in court Hatfield was not aware of of his actions since he took “a cocktail of drugs,” including marijuana and prescription medication.
Hatfield’s sentencing is set for Jan. 2.
