PRESTON KATAN - 2 yo -(2010) Montgomery AL

Montgomery police have charged a father with capital murder in the
death of his 2-year-old son, according to a news release from the
Montgomery Police Department.
At 10:35 a.m. Tuesday, officers were called to 7017 Oak Side Drive
in Montgomery in reference to a 2-year-old boy who was found
unresponsive, according to police.Preston
Katan was found lying in his bed, police said. He was pronounced dead
of unknown causes at the scene, the news release states.

The
child's father, Jonathan Katan, 25, of the same address told officers
that he found his son wedged between the mattress of the bed and the
bumper guard, according to police. Katan said the child was
unresponsive and cold to the touch when he went to check on him, the
release states.On
Wednesday, an autopsy on the child's body was completed, police said.
The autopsy revealed that the child died from multiple, blunt-force
injuries to the head, the release states. The autopsy stated that the
manner of death was homicide, according to police.The case was turned over to the homicide unit for a follow-up investigation, police said.The father was interviewed again by detectives, who determined there was probable cause for Katan's arrest, according to police.Katan
was arrested and charged with capital murder and placed in the
Montgomery County Detention Facility without bond, the release states.

A 25-year-old Montgomery man who already is in jail on a murder charge
has been charged with solicitation to commit capital murder.
According to Capt. Keith Barnett, a Montgomery Police Department
spokesman, Jonathan Katan, who earlier this year was charged with
capital murder in the death of his 2-year-old son, attempted to hire
someone to murder an unnamed acquaintance.An informant inside the jail notified authorities
that Katan was trying to make contact with someone he would pay to
murder the acquaintance, Barnett said. He was reported to have offered
$5,000.Barnett
said an undercover police investigation was initiated and found Katan
trying to arrange a partial payment. After the attempt, he was charged
with solicitation on a bond of $60,000.This charge comes five months after Katan was charged
with the murder of his 2-year-old son, Preston.On Feb. 16, officers were called to Katan's residence
and the child was pronounced dead at the scene.At that time, Katan told officers he found his son wedged between the mattress
of the bed and the bumper guard in an unresponsive state and cold to the
touch.An autopsy
revealed the child died from multiple blunt-force injuries to the head.
The autopsy stated that the manner of death was homicide.

Grandfather speaks out about slain grandson
Posted: Feb 20, 2010 7:45 PM CST
Updated: Feb 20, 2010 11:15 PM CST

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - "My daughter was afraid of him," says Ed Chermak.

Chermak says his daughter never felt safe around her former husband--Jonathan Katan.

It's one reason the two divorced in 2008.

"He had said that if she didn't allow him to have at least one of the children that he would try to take his own life," says Chermak.

But instead of his own life Montgomery Police charged Katan with capital murder in the death of their 2-year old son--Preston.

Officers say they found the boy in his bed.

Katan claimed he got stuck between the mattress and bumper guard.

An autopsy later revealed the boy died from blunt force injuries to the head.

Chermak says when news came of the arrest, "I don't believe there's any words that can actually explain what the feelings were at that particular time. As much as I hate to say it, I thought he was in a better place than standing in front of us at that time."

Montgomery Police say there is a history of domestic violence between Katan and his former wife.

Now the family's left to deal with a violent act and a loss that's especially hard for Preston's sister.

"All she could say is my brother died."

Katan is in the Montgomery County Detention Facility where he's being held without bond.

"I only pray that he'll understand that once he's inside of prison, it's only unknowing what could happen to him there," says Chermak.

Chermak says attorneys have already informed him the charge could receive the death penalty. But he isn't taking a stand on whether that's right or wrong, but to say he believes the legal system will bring Katan to justice. For now, he's just praying for his daughter and her family.

Police say they still don't know the motive for the crime.

Prosecution contends father brutally murdered 2-year-old son

12:24 AM, Jul. 27, 2011




Jurors viewed unsettling crime scene photos Tuesday at the start of the capital murder trial of a Montgomery man accused of killing his young son.
Prosecutors contend that Jonathan Katan, 26, brutally murdered his son either the morning of Feb. 16, 2010, or the night before.
Defense attorneys asserted that while the death of 2-year-old Preston Katan was tragic, the child's father was not responsible.
Jurors heard opening statements and the testimony of two state witnesses Tuesday.
Katan called 911 about 10:30 a.m. Feb. 16 and told a dispatcher that his son was dead.
Police said Katan told them that he found the boy wedged between a bumper guard and the mattress of the boy's bed. Officers arrested Katan the next day, and a grand jury indicted him Dec. 3.
Jurors saw photos Tuesday of the boy's body as a Montgomery Police Department crime scene investigator testified he found it after being called to the house on Oak Side Drive.
One photo showed blood around the boy's nose and mouth. Another showed blood on the box spring mattress of the boy's bed.
A Montgomery Fire Department medic testified that the boy was clearly dead when he and other medics arrived. The body was cold to the touch, and rigor mortis had started to set in, the fire medic testified.
An Alabama Department of Forensic Science autopsy concluded that the boy had suffered multiple blunt force injuries to the head, prosecutors said.
"We know from medical evidence that this was an intentional, brutal assault," Deputy District Attorney Kevin Davidson told jurors in his opening statement.
Defense Attorney Jon Taylor questioned the medical evidence, saying that jurors could acquit Katan even if they relied on that evidence alone to make their decision.
Taylor also questioned the suggestion that an insurance policy on Preston Katan could serve as a motive.
Jonathan Katan's ex-girlfriend also benefited from the policy, and she and Katan had recently broken up and were at odds with each other, Taylor said.
The district attorney's office is seeking a sentence of life in prison without parole.
Testimony will continue today in Montgomery County Circuit Judge Tracy McCooey's courtroom.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20110727/NEWS01/107270335/Prosecution-contends-father-brutally-murdered-2-year-old-son

Montgomery man convicted of capital murder in son's death
2:55 PM, Jul. 29, 2011 | Comments
Written by
Scott Johnson Filed Under
News

A Montgomery jury on Friday afternoon convicted Jonathan Katan of capital murder in the death of his 2-year-old son. He then was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Katan, 26, was accused of beating to death his son, Preston, in February 2010 either with his fists or a blunt object.
After the verdict, Katan maintained his innocence. He said he chose not to take the stand because he didn’t want to make a scene or cause his family to make a scene.
As he was being led out in handcuffs he turned to his family and said, “We’ll get a new trial. Don’t worry. We’ll get a new trial.”
Closing arguments in the case concluded late Friday morning. Jurors chose a foreman and took a lunch break and began deliberations after lunch.
Deputy District Attorney John Kachelman delivered an impassioned closing argument, creating an emotional moment for loved ones on both the prosecution and defense sides.
“That is not a father, that is a murderer,” Kachelman said, gesturing toward Katan.
The defense attorney called into question the testimony of a so-called “jailhouse snitch” and asked the jury to hold the state to its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.