Judge Allows Change Of Charge Against Samantha Green To Murder

WOODLAND (CBS13) – A Yolo County Superior Court judge has allowed prosecutors to change their charge against Samantha Green.

The mother accused of killing her 3-week-old son was in court Friday morning. Prosecutors had charged the 23-year-old Green with involuntary manslaughter a week ago.

Green's possibility of bail has been revoked. Her attorney has called the murder charge vindictive.

Last month, Green's 20-day-old son Justice Rees was found dead in a Knights Landing slough.

While legal experts say the higher charge is a game-changer in the case, it's not uncommon for complaints to be amended.

A local defense attorney who is following the case says more witnesses and evidence likely forced prosecutors' hands from a manslaughter count to murder.

"Prosecutors have a very high ethical duty to not charge things they don't believe they can prove for any reason, including public or political pressure," said attorney Jennifer Mouzis, who talked to CBS13 earlier this week.