Au Pair Ends 2 Days of Testimony

Louise Woodward, a 19-year-old British au pair, finished two days of testimony Monday, denying charges that she ever shook, hit or slammed 8-month-old Matthew Eappen, who died of head injuries in February. The defense rested Monday and closing arguments begin today.

At the request of the defense, the Superior Court judge ruled that the jury will only be allowed to consider verdicts of first- or second-degree murder, not a lesser charge of manslaughter. Prosecutors, fearing a jury would have less leeway to convict, immediately appealed, but a higher court judge upheld the ruling.

Much of Woodward’s testimony dealt with the frustrations and demands of her job as an au pair. She came to the United States believing she would have time to see the country. Instead, she spent her days taking care of two children and doing housework.

Prosecutors charge Woodward took out her frustrations on the fussy baby on Feb. 4. The defense has presented experts to say the death might have resulted from a weeks-old injury.

Stephanie Coontz, a professor of history and family studies at Evergreen College in Olympia, Wash., said the case points to the uncertainty in most child care.