New trial rejected in toddler’s death

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — A former Duluth man convicted of manslaughter in the death of an 11-month-old neighbor has lost a motion for a new trial.

Michael Tahtinen was found guilty last month in St. Louis County of first-degree manslaughter and malicious punishment in the 2008 death of Connor Robison.

Defense attorneys argued there was insufficient evidence to convict Tahtinen and that the jury returned an inconsistent verdict by convicting him of manslaughter, but finding him innocent of two other assault-related counts.

The Duluth News Tribune says Judge Sally Tarnowski denied the motion for a new trial.