News

Ward guilty of involuntary manslaughter in baby's death


Published: October 30, 2009

SALEM -- A Salem Superior Court jury found Jennifer Ward guilty of involuntary manslaughter today in the shaking death of her baby daughter, Jocelyn.

The jury deliberated for about eight hours over two days before returning a verdict at about 3 p.m. today.

Involuntary manslaughter carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Monday.

Ward, 39, of Peabody was accused of shaking her 9-month-old daughter and then slamming her down severely on the night of Nov. 18, 2007, because the baby wouldn’t stop crying. Jocelyn suffered two broken shoulders, a broken arm and a fractured skull.

Ward was charged with first-dgree murder, but the jury opted to convict her of the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter.