Family of slain two-year-old from St George fears there will be no justice

ST. GEORGE, Utah — More than a year later, a St. George grandmother worries the person may not get justice accused of killing her two-year-old granddaughter.

Tammy Teeples still has toys and other belongings belonging to her granddaughter Emmaline Mitchell lying around the house she once shared with her and her own daughter, and she is unwilling to move the mementos until the man she is accused of shaking her to death stands trial.

“It's either a trial or a clear 'I'm guilty. I did this. I'm going to admit it,'” Teeples said Monday.

A final hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in the child abuse and manslaughter case against Emmaline's stepfather, Randy Lessing. The father is accused of being responsible for the brain injuries and traumatic brain injury that led to Emmaline's death.

Lessing claimed the injuries were caused by the child's fall. While his defense attorney is expected to offer a plea deal at the hearing, Teeples is concerned that Washington County prosecutors are willing to accept a no contest guilty plea.

A no contest verdict would carry the same sentence of five years to life imprisonment as a guilty verdict, but it would not be an admission of guilt, which is what the family is demanding.

“This is going to make me angry,” she admitted. “I won't be this angry forever, but it is going to make me angry that he even has this opportunity. There is too much evidence not to go to trial. That's what makes me angry.”

Prosecutor Ryan Shaum said he has not seen an actual confession from Lessing's defense and any possible plea agreement depends on the defendant's testimony. If a confession is made, Shaum promises to speak to the family first.

Teeples said she and her daughter need not just a verdict, but an actual admission of guilt.

“My daughter is hanging by a thread. She's doing the best she can,” she said. “To know that people who murder and torture children and die in the process get a slap on the wrist for it, I don't understand that and I never will.”