DALLAS (OR) – Tara Leeann Griffin (formerly Davies), of Dallas, has been convicted of Assault in the First Degree and Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree involving an infant child under her care. Griffin, 41, was found guilty by Polk County Circuit Judge pro tem Timothy R. Park after a four day trial to the court held in April.
Griffin was previously found guilty of these same charges in 2011 by a Polk County jury and sentenced to serve ten years in prison. However, that conviction was overturned by recent Supreme Court decisions finding that non-unanimous jury verdicts are unconstitutional and granting her a new trial. In her first trial, Griffin was convicted by an 11-1 vote of the jury.
In commenting on the verdict and why his office sought a second trial, Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton stated:
“It was important that the integrity and justice of the first trial outcome be maintained, while fully respecting the due process rights of the defendant as our appellate courts envision.”
The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Aaron Felton and investigated by the Dallas Police Department. The first prosecution was overseen by the Oregon Department of Justice. Ms. Griffin will be sentenced on May 13.
