Quinton Simon’s mother Leilani was absent from the hearing as the crucial decision in her trial over the murder of a 20-month-old son was adjourned

QUINTON Simon’s mother, Leilani, was absent from a court hearing on Wednesday as a key decision in her murder trial was suspended.

Leilani, 20, has been charged with the murder of her 20-month-old son Quinton, who went missing in October.

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On Wednesday, Judge Michael Karpf delayed a motion that would have determined media coverage of the trial.

The hearing concerned rule 22, which states that “no one shall use a recording device in a manner that interferes with a procedure,” according to Savannah Morning News

While Chatham County allows the media to cover court cases, the presiding judge may order some hearings to be closed.

Leilani’s attorney did not object to the media coverage, reports Savannah Morning News.

However, Georgia Attorney Timothy Patrick Dean released a statement on the matter.

“Reporters can come in with a pen and paper, and I wouldn’t mind,” Dean said.

“I’m talking about [not allowing] broadcast and live streaming.”

The motion was also delayed because Karpf temporarily stood in for Chatham County Superior Court Judge Tammy Stokes.

Referring to the first amendment, Karpf said he was “certain that Judge Stokes will submit a much more detailed order on the rule 22 requests”.

He added that any media coverage decisions will be “thorough and designed to allow fair access but also to avoid disruption to the process plan.”

THE CASE CONTINUES

Quinton disappeared from his grandmother’s home in Savannah, Georgia on October 5.

Leilani reportedly left her mother’s home on the night of Oct. 4 to meet with her drug dealer and again the next morning to dump Quinton’s body in the dumpster at Azalea Mobile Home Park, court documents claim.

Chatham County Police pronounced the 20-month-old infant dead and revealed the boy’s body was unknowingly disposed of in a landfill.

After a month-long search by Chatham Police, investigators discovered the remains of an infant on November 18.

DNA analysis later confirmed that the bones found belonged to Quinton.

Leilani was immediately arrested and charged with her son’s murder.

The Chatham County grand jury announced charges against Leilani in December, which included felony murder, covering up the death of another and making false statements to police, among other charges.

Leilani waived her right to appear at Wednesday’s court hearing.