Hearing in gaunt boy's death

A man and a woman were advised today they are being held for investigation of first-degree murder in the death of a 7-year-boy who died Sunday weighing less than 30 pounds. Jon Phillips, 26, and Sarah Berry, 21, also were told in Denver District Court that they were each being held for investigation of child abuse resulting in death.

The boy was found in a third-floor apartment at 3300 S. Tamarac St. Police sources told 9News that the boy was found in a closet and appeared to be malnourished. The child was taken to Swedish Medical Center in cardiac arrest Sunday and was pronounced dead at 3:45 p.m.

Public defender Alfredo Rios, who represents Berry, requested that video cameras be excluded from the court this morning, but Rios said that if Berry - charged with such a heinous crime - is filmed so close to Mother's Day, it could prejudice the jury pool and force the defense to seek a change of venue.

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But Okamoto said Berry's picture has already been viewed extensively and that he was not persuaded by Rios' arguments. Berry and Phillips, whose attorney will be appointed, were being held without bail.

Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.