Nevada Supreme Court panel overturns conviction in 2004 death of infant

CARSON CITY -- A Nevada Supreme Court panel has overturned the conviction of a 22-year-old woman who was sentenced to life in prison for the 2004 death of her 16-day-old infant in Reno.

In a 2-1 ruling, the panel said Felicia Ramirez's rights were violated when the District Court failed to properly instruct the jury before it began deliberations.

While the panel reversed Ramirez's conviction of second-degree murder by means of child abuse or neglect, justices Michael Cherry and Nancy Saitta said the state can retry her because the prosecution presented enough during trial to convict her.

Paramedics were called to Ramirez's Reno apartment after the infant was found not breathing. A forensic pathologist said the baby died from massive head injuries.