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Suspect enters plea: Bott-Graham lawyer wants trial moved

By Casey Santee - Journal Writer
March 29, 2006

POCATELLO - An unlicensed counselor charged in the death of 2-year-old Cameron Hamilton pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder at her arraignment Tuesday.

Michelle Bott-Graham's high-profile attorney, Keith Roark, told Sixth District Judge Peter McDermott he will file a change of venue motion for his client's upcoming trial, which is scheduled for Sept. 12. Until then, Bott-Graham remains free on $200,000 bond.

“It's uncommon for newspapers to editorialize about the guilt or innocence of the defendant,” Roark said after the hearing, adding that the jury pool in Bannock County has been tainted by the ongoing coverage of Bott-Graham's case.

Deputy Prosecutor Vic Pearson said the trial has been postponed until September to give both sides a chance to fully understand the complex medical records and testimony in the case. At Bott-Graham's preliminary hearing earlier this month a medical examiner from Utah who performed Cameron's autopsy said, in her opinion, the toddler's death was caused by severe brain trauma caused by strangulation and blunt force trauma.

Police reports indicate Bott-Graham, who continued to practice after her counseling license was revoked in 2003 following a drug conviction, allegedly picked Hamilton up from Achieving a Better Life day care and mental health clinic in Chubbuck Nov. 29 to treat him for autism at her Pocatello home. Bott-Graham returned an unresponsive Cameron to ABL hours later. He died at Primary Children's Medical Center Dec. 5.

Cameron's father, Shane Hamilton, said he is frustrated with the court delays. However, he said no matter what happens to Bott-Graham, nothing can fix what she allegedly did to his son.

Hamilton said before Cameron was injured, he'd never heard of Bott-Graham. He said she certainly didn't have his permission to take him from ABL for any reason.

“There's no justice for what she did,” Hamilton said, pausing. “I can't put it into words. There ain't no way to explain it.”

 

 

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