Barretos’ attorney seeks records
Patsy R. Brumfield
Daily Journal
NEW ALBANY – The attorney for Janet and Ramon Barreto wants prosecutors to turn over materials that could help keep them out of jail for the rest of their lives.
Anthony Farese of Ashland has asked for records and other information, especially related to the medical treatment of Janet Barreto’s biological daughter, Marainna Torres, who was treated in a psychiatric hospital shortly after the death of the Barretos’ adopted daughter, 2-year-old Enna, on May 17, 2008.
About six weeks later, Torres, 17, admitted she killed the child out of frustration when she struck her and threw her into a baby bed at the family’s rural trailer home.
“We assert that Marainna Torres has made statements concerning tphe events which led to the death of Enna Barreto,” Farese wrote in a Feb. 27 court filing, and that these statements are beneficial to the Barretos.
Dated Jan. 26, Torres wrote in a letter to them, “I am sorry for everything that happend,” with some words misspelled.
“I never meant for what happend to Enna to happen. I loved her along with all the rest of them.
“Whatever happens, please forgive me!!!”
In addition to Enna and Torres, the Barretos were parents to six other adopted children, most 2-3 years old. Torres has alleged she was forced to care for them.
Farese says he plans to introduce at trial a taped telephone conversation with Torres, “wherein she exonerates her parents regarding the death.”
Janet and Ramon Barreto were indicted July 25 on 10 counts ranging from child endangerment and felony child abuse to manslaughter by culpable negligence.
If convicted, they face up to life in prison.
Monday, the Barreto couple sat quietly in the Union County courthouse’s second-floor courtroom and waited to see if Farese could move their case along – either toward a trial or toward some kind of offer from the prosecutors.
They have been out of jail on $450,000 bond each since late November.
Farese said the initial stumbling block Monday was finding a new attorney for Torres, who pleaded guilty in the child’s death July 2. She lost legal
representation when her counsel, Thomas Levidiotis of Oxford, was hired as an assistant to District Attorney Ben Creekmore.
Torres’ sentencing likely awaits closure on proceedings against her mother and stepfather. Meanwhile, she needs an attorney as she waits in jail for developments.
In the latest court filings, Farese also inclues a list of likely trial witnesses, a psychological evaluation of Janet Barreto and the handwritten letter, filled with spelling errors, from Torres to her parents, saying how sorry she is for the situation she’s put them in.
“I no I haven’t been the best daughter through the years. I no that I have screwed up a whole lot and disapointed you! I wish I could just turn back time.”
Contact Patsy Brumfield at (662) 678-1596 or patsy.brumfield@djournal.com.