Parents: Michael Vinson & Sherry Lynn Buzzard
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Thursday, December 3, 1987
Diane M. Buzzard - DEAD BABY HAD BEEN BEATEN, POLICE SAY
A 3-month-old girl found dead in her crib Tuesday morning had been severely beaten from head to foot but investigators have been unable to determine who was responsible, Columbus police said yesterday.
The body of Diane M. Buzzard, Hamlet St., was found after her mother, Sherry Buzzard, 16, said she checked on the baby when she awakened Tuesday.
The infant died of head and internal injuries, said Sgt. Clifford Davis of the homicide squad.
The infant's unmarried parents, a grandmother and other residents of the house were questioned yesterday, police said.
"This is a homicide. There is evidence of a severe beating," Davis said.
He said detectives questioned the infant's mother and father, Michael Vinson, 17, who live with Vinson's grandmother in the Hamlet St. home. The two have no other children, he said.
Davis would not discuss what the parents said or whether police believe a weapon had been used.
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Sunday, March 13, 1988
Diane Buzzard: BABY'S SLAYING LIKELY TO REMAIN UNSOLVED PUZZLE
Nobody disputes that 3-month-old Diane died violently.
Nobody disputes that she was beaten four times, possibly with a clenched fist, on the head, face and stomach.
BUT NOBODY agrees on who did it - nor are they likely to, ever.
Diane's mother, Sherry Buzzard, 16, said she woke up in her basement bedroom about 9:30 a.m. Dec. 1 and found the lifeless body of her daughter in the bed next to her.
Sherry was eventually charged with a delinquency count of involuntary manslaughter. Wednesday, Franklin County Juvenile Court Judge Ronald L. Solove acquitted her.
Solove said it was the hardest decision he has ever made. He said the evidence was not sufficient to support the charge.
In his decision, Solove said Sherry might have killed her daughter, but someone else in the house could have, too. Testimony showed Sherry was staying with the family of her boyfriend, Michael Vinson, 16, of 1236 Hamlet St.
ALSO IN the house were the boyfriend's mother, Diane Vinson, and two brothers and a sister of Michael Vinson.
Solove told The Dispatch after the trial, "This was a terrible tragedy. There was no doubt in my mind that this was a homicide.
"Somebody killed that baby."
Columbus police Capt. Antone Lanata said the case remains open, and detectives will review the evidence this week.
"We have to look at the whole scenario and find out where we are. We never close a case," he said.
Barring new evidence, such as a confession or eyewitness, the case might linger forever as an open file.
Testimony suggested that Sherry was a caring mother who fed her baby regularly and kept doctor appointments.
Testimony also showed that she was a heavy sleeper and sometimes did not wake up even though her baby beside her had been crying for 15 minutes. This testimony was used to suggest someone could have beaten the baby without awakening Sherry.
Several apparently incriminating statements Sherry made to police were ruled inadmissible at the trial by Solove because Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Jeffrey A. Plunkett failed to disclose the evidence to Sherry's attorney, Norman Anderson, during the discovery process.
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Wednesday, December 2, 1987
Diane M. Buzzard - BABY FOUND DEAD IN HER BED
A 3-month-old baby was found dead in her bed yesterday morning by her mother. Columbus police are investigating the death as a homicide.
Diane M. Buzzard, 1236 Hamlet St., was pronounced dead by Columbus Fire paramedics about 9:50 a.m. An autopsy showed she died of head and internal injuries.
Police said there are no suspects in the death.
Sherry Buzzard, the child's mother, found the body after she awoke yesterday morning, police said.
The child's grandmother phoned the fire department from a neighbor's house, police said.
The child was last seen alive when she was put to bed the previous night by her mother, police said.
Police said they don't know how the child suffered the injuries.
The father of the child is Michael Vinson. He and Sherry Buzzard are minors, police said.
The couple lives with Vinson's mother.
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination
- Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey
Info provided by Jean Quentmeyer 8-2-2013
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Thursday, December 3, 1987
Diane M. Buzzard - DEAD BABY HAD BEEN BEATEN, POLICE SAY
A 3-month-old girl found dead in her crib Tuesday morning had been severely beaten from head to foot but investigators have been unable to determine who was responsible, Columbus police said yesterday.
The body of Diane M. Buzzard, Hamlet St., was found after her mother, Sherry Buzzard, 16, said she checked on the baby when she awakened Tuesday.
The infant died of head and internal injuries, said Sgt. Clifford Davis of the homicide squad.
The infant's unmarried parents, a grandmother and other residents of the house were questioned yesterday, police said.
"This is a homicide. There is evidence of a severe beating," Davis said.
He said detectives questioned the infant's mother and father, Michael Vinson, 17, who live with Vinson's grandmother in the Hamlet St. home. The two have no other children, he said.
Davis would not discuss what the parents said or whether police believe a weapon had been used.
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Sunday, March 13, 1988
Diane Buzzard: BABY'S SLAYING LIKELY TO REMAIN UNSOLVED PUZZLE
Nobody disputes that 3-month-old Diane died violently.
Nobody disputes that she was beaten four times, possibly with a clenched fist, on the head, face and stomach.
BUT NOBODY agrees on who did it - nor are they likely to, ever.
Diane's mother, Sherry Buzzard, 16, said she woke up in her basement bedroom about 9:30 a.m. Dec. 1 and found the lifeless body of her daughter in the bed next to her.
Sherry was eventually charged with a delinquency count of involuntary manslaughter. Wednesday, Franklin County Juvenile Court Judge Ronald L. Solove acquitted her.
Solove said it was the hardest decision he has ever made. He said the evidence was not sufficient to support the charge.
In his decision, Solove said Sherry might have killed her daughter, but someone else in the house could have, too. Testimony showed Sherry was staying with the family of her boyfriend, Michael Vinson, 16, of 1236 Hamlet St.
ALSO IN the house were the boyfriend's mother, Diane Vinson, and two brothers and a sister of Michael Vinson.
Solove told The Dispatch after the trial, "This was a terrible tragedy. There was no doubt in my mind that this was a homicide.
"Somebody killed that baby."
Columbus police Capt. Antone Lanata said the case remains open, and detectives will review the evidence this week.
"We have to look at the whole scenario and find out where we are. We never close a case," he said.
Barring new evidence, such as a confession or eyewitness, the case might linger forever as an open file.
Testimony suggested that Sherry was a caring mother who fed her baby regularly and kept doctor appointments.
Testimony also showed that she was a heavy sleeper and sometimes did not wake up even though her baby beside her had been crying for 15 minutes. This testimony was used to suggest someone could have beaten the baby without awakening Sherry.
Several apparently incriminating statements Sherry made to police were ruled inadmissible at the trial by Solove because Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Jeffrey A. Plunkett failed to disclose the evidence to Sherry's attorney, Norman Anderson, during the discovery process.
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Wednesday, December 2, 1987
Diane M. Buzzard - BABY FOUND DEAD IN HER BED
A 3-month-old baby was found dead in her bed yesterday morning by her mother. Columbus police are investigating the death as a homicide.
Diane M. Buzzard, 1236 Hamlet St., was pronounced dead by Columbus Fire paramedics about 9:50 a.m. An autopsy showed she died of head and internal injuries.
Police said there are no suspects in the death.
Sherry Buzzard, the child's mother, found the body after she awoke yesterday morning, police said.
The child's grandmother phoned the fire department from a neighbor's house, police said.
The child was last seen alive when she was put to bed the previous night by her mother, police said.
Police said they don't know how the child suffered the injuries.
The father of the child is Michael Vinson. He and Sherry Buzzard are minors, police said.
The couple lives with Vinson's mother.
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination
- Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey
Info provided by Jean Quentmeyer 8-2-2013
Parents: Michael Vinson & Sherry Lynn Buzzard
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Thursday, December 3, 1987
Diane M. Buzzard - DEAD BABY HAD BEEN BEATEN, POLICE SAY
A 3-month-old girl found dead in her crib Tuesday morning had been severely beaten from head to foot but investigators have been unable to determine who was responsible, Columbus police said yesterday.
The body of Diane M. Buzzard, Hamlet St., was found after her mother, Sherry Buzzard, 16, said she checked on the baby when she awakened Tuesday.
The infant died of head and internal injuries, said Sgt. Clifford Davis of the homicide squad.
The infant's unmarried parents, a grandmother and other residents of the house were questioned yesterday, police said.
"This is a homicide. There is evidence of a severe beating," Davis said.
He said detectives questioned the infant's mother and father, Michael Vinson, 17, who live with Vinson's grandmother in the Hamlet St. home. The two have no other children, he said.
Davis would not discuss what the parents said or whether police believe a weapon had been used.
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Sunday, March 13, 1988
Diane Buzzard: BABY'S SLAYING LIKELY TO REMAIN UNSOLVED PUZZLE
Nobody disputes that 3-month-old Diane died violently.
Nobody disputes that she was beaten four times, possibly with a clenched fist, on the head, face and stomach.
BUT NOBODY agrees on who did it - nor are they likely to, ever.
Diane's mother, Sherry Buzzard, 16, said she woke up in her basement bedroom about 9:30 a.m. Dec. 1 and found the lifeless body of her daughter in the bed next to her.
Sherry was eventually charged with a delinquency count of involuntary manslaughter. Wednesday, Franklin County Juvenile Court Judge Ronald L. Solove acquitted her.
Solove said it was the hardest decision he has ever made. He said the evidence was not sufficient to support the charge.
In his decision, Solove said Sherry might have killed her daughter, but someone else in the house could have, too. Testimony showed Sherry was staying with the family of her boyfriend, Michael Vinson, 16, of 1236 Hamlet St.
ALSO IN the house were the boyfriend's mother, Diane Vinson, and two brothers and a sister of Michael Vinson.
Solove told The Dispatch after the trial, "This was a terrible tragedy. There was no doubt in my mind that this was a homicide.
"Somebody killed that baby."
Columbus police Capt. Antone Lanata said the case remains open, and detectives will review the evidence this week.
"We have to look at the whole scenario and find out where we are. We never close a case," he said.
Barring new evidence, such as a confession or eyewitness, the case might linger forever as an open file.
Testimony suggested that Sherry was a caring mother who fed her baby regularly and kept doctor appointments.
Testimony also showed that she was a heavy sleeper and sometimes did not wake up even though her baby beside her had been crying for 15 minutes. This testimony was used to suggest someone could have beaten the baby without awakening Sherry.
Several apparently incriminating statements Sherry made to police were ruled inadmissible at the trial by Solove because Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Jeffrey A. Plunkett failed to disclose the evidence to Sherry's attorney, Norman Anderson, during the discovery process.
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Wednesday, December 2, 1987
Diane M. Buzzard - BABY FOUND DEAD IN HER BED
A 3-month-old baby was found dead in her bed yesterday morning by her mother. Columbus police are investigating the death as a homicide.
Diane M. Buzzard, 1236 Hamlet St., was pronounced dead by Columbus Fire paramedics about 9:50 a.m. An autopsy showed she died of head and internal injuries.
Police said there are no suspects in the death.
Sherry Buzzard, the child's mother, found the body after she awoke yesterday morning, police said.
The child's grandmother phoned the fire department from a neighbor's house, police said.
The child was last seen alive when she was put to bed the previous night by her mother, police said.
Police said they don't know how the child suffered the injuries.
The father of the child is Michael Vinson. He and Sherry Buzzard are minors, police said.
The couple lives with Vinson's mother.
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination
- Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey
Info provided by Jean Quentmeyer 8-2-2013
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Thursday, December 3, 1987
Diane M. Buzzard - DEAD BABY HAD BEEN BEATEN, POLICE SAY
A 3-month-old girl found dead in her crib Tuesday morning had been severely beaten from head to foot but investigators have been unable to determine who was responsible, Columbus police said yesterday.
The body of Diane M. Buzzard, Hamlet St., was found after her mother, Sherry Buzzard, 16, said she checked on the baby when she awakened Tuesday.
The infant died of head and internal injuries, said Sgt. Clifford Davis of the homicide squad.
The infant's unmarried parents, a grandmother and other residents of the house were questioned yesterday, police said.
"This is a homicide. There is evidence of a severe beating," Davis said.
He said detectives questioned the infant's mother and father, Michael Vinson, 17, who live with Vinson's grandmother in the Hamlet St. home. The two have no other children, he said.
Davis would not discuss what the parents said or whether police believe a weapon had been used.
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Sunday, March 13, 1988
Diane Buzzard: BABY'S SLAYING LIKELY TO REMAIN UNSOLVED PUZZLE
Nobody disputes that 3-month-old Diane died violently.
Nobody disputes that she was beaten four times, possibly with a clenched fist, on the head, face and stomach.
BUT NOBODY agrees on who did it - nor are they likely to, ever.
Diane's mother, Sherry Buzzard, 16, said she woke up in her basement bedroom about 9:30 a.m. Dec. 1 and found the lifeless body of her daughter in the bed next to her.
Sherry was eventually charged with a delinquency count of involuntary manslaughter. Wednesday, Franklin County Juvenile Court Judge Ronald L. Solove acquitted her.
Solove said it was the hardest decision he has ever made. He said the evidence was not sufficient to support the charge.
In his decision, Solove said Sherry might have killed her daughter, but someone else in the house could have, too. Testimony showed Sherry was staying with the family of her boyfriend, Michael Vinson, 16, of 1236 Hamlet St.
ALSO IN the house were the boyfriend's mother, Diane Vinson, and two brothers and a sister of Michael Vinson.
Solove told The Dispatch after the trial, "This was a terrible tragedy. There was no doubt in my mind that this was a homicide.
"Somebody killed that baby."
Columbus police Capt. Antone Lanata said the case remains open, and detectives will review the evidence this week.
"We have to look at the whole scenario and find out where we are. We never close a case," he said.
Barring new evidence, such as a confession or eyewitness, the case might linger forever as an open file.
Testimony suggested that Sherry was a caring mother who fed her baby regularly and kept doctor appointments.
Testimony also showed that she was a heavy sleeper and sometimes did not wake up even though her baby beside her had been crying for 15 minutes. This testimony was used to suggest someone could have beaten the baby without awakening Sherry.
Several apparently incriminating statements Sherry made to police were ruled inadmissible at the trial by Solove because Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Jeffrey A. Plunkett failed to disclose the evidence to Sherry's attorney, Norman Anderson, during the discovery process.
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Wednesday, December 2, 1987
Diane M. Buzzard - BABY FOUND DEAD IN HER BED
A 3-month-old baby was found dead in her bed yesterday morning by her mother. Columbus police are investigating the death as a homicide.
Diane M. Buzzard, 1236 Hamlet St., was pronounced dead by Columbus Fire paramedics about 9:50 a.m. An autopsy showed she died of head and internal injuries.
Police said there are no suspects in the death.
Sherry Buzzard, the child's mother, found the body after she awoke yesterday morning, police said.
The child's grandmother phoned the fire department from a neighbor's house, police said.
The child was last seen alive when she was put to bed the previous night by her mother, police said.
Police said they don't know how the child suffered the injuries.
The father of the child is Michael Vinson. He and Sherry Buzzard are minors, police said.
The couple lives with Vinson's mother.
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination
- Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey
Info provided by Jean Quentmeyer 8-2-2013
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