Murder Med for Depression 03/08/2005 Iowa Postpartum Depression: Mother Kills Infant
 
 Summary:<br><br><!--StartFragment -->Last two paragraphs read: &quot;Late Wednesday, Anfinson&#39;s husband, Mike Anfinson, took the stand<strong>. He said his wife was suffering from postpartum depression and had even taken medication, but Kutmus never asked whether his client was taking any medication.&quot; <br /><br /></strong>&quot;Kutmus said that&#39;s just not something he asks his clients.&quot; <br /><br /><a href="http://www.theiowachannel.com/news/4805947/detail.html">http://www.theiowachannel.com/news/4805947/detail.html<br /><br /></a><h1><strong>Family Says Postpartum Issue Dismissed By Kutmus<br /><br /></strong></h1><h2><strong>Husband Says Anfinson Took Medication For Condition</strong></h2>POSTED: 4:13 pm CDT August 3, 2005<br />UPDATED: 5:47 pm CDT August 3, 2005<br /><br /><strong>DES MOINES, Iowa -- </strong>Tears and intense questioning marked the second day of a hearing to determine whether a Des Moines woman who was convicted of killing her infant son should receive a new trial. <br /><br />Five years ago, a jury convicted Heidi Anfinson of second-degree murder in the death of 2-week-old Jacob. <br /><br />William Kutmus, Anfinson&#39;s lawyer at the time, said Jacob accidentally drowned in an infant bathtub. <br /><br />Alfredo Parrish and Maggi Moss are now representing Anfinson. Anfinson&#39;s attorneys claim that Kutmus ignored evidence that she may have suffered from postpartum depression. <br /><br />The hearing&#39;s second day began with Kutmus&#39; testimony. He was cross-examined by Assistant County Attorney Mike Hunter, who asked Kutmus about his relationship with Anfinson and how frequently they spoke and about a postpartum depression defense. <br /><br />Kutmus said they had a good relationship and said he told Anfinson about three different plea deals she could have taken in the trials, but she refused them. <br /><br />Kutmus said he asked Anfinson about her feelings toward her child and at every stage. He said she was adamant about how much she loved Jacob. <br /><br />&quot;This was an accident, she&#39;s always maintained that,&quot; he said. <br /><br />Kutmus was also questioned again by Anfinson&#39;s attorneys. <br /><br />Kutmus said his client always considered her son&#39;s death an accident and that is why he chose accidental death as her defense, NewsChannel 8 reported. <br /><br />Hunter asked Kutmus if the accidental death defense was a reasonable strategy. Kutmus said &quot;absolutely&quot; and that he still believed it to this day. <br /><br />Parrish asked Kutmus why he did not consider postpartum depression considering the unusual nature of the baby&#39;s death. <br /><br />Anfinson&#39;s father, who paid $100,000 for her defense, said on the stand that the family had repeatedly suggested that Kutmus try the postpartum defense, but they said they were always dismissed. <br /><br />Irv Hoffbauer, Anfinson&#39;s father, said that he remembered getting the impression from Kutmus that he didn&#39;t know what postpartum depression was or was too lazy to find out. <br /><br />Late Wednesday, Anfinson&#39;s husband, Mike Anfinson, took the stand. He said his wife was suffering from postpartum depression and had even taken medication, but Kutmus never asked whether his client was taking any medication. <br /><br />Kutmus said that&#39;s just not something he asks his clients. <br /> 
</font>
<br><br>