TYLER, Texas (AP) — A capital murder count has been dropped against an East Texas woman whose boyfriend faces trial on charges he fatally beat her toddler son.
A judge in Tyler on Monday dismissed the charge against Emma Torres, who's agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Torres pleaded guilty to child abandonment-endangerment and is expected to serve two years in a state jail.
Simon Lopez awaits trial on a capital murder charge in the November 2010 death of 18-month-old Jeremy Silva. The boy died of blunt force trauma. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Lopez, who watched the boy while the mother was at work.
Lopez fled and was in a confrontation with Dallas police in December 2010 before escaping. He was captured in July 2011 in Mexico and returned to Texas.
