El Cajon

A 36-year-old man who tried to kill himself last week hours before his sentencing for manslaughter in the death of his ex-girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter was given a nine-year state prison term Wednesday.

Gary Griffith of El Cajon, whose sentencing was delayed last week after his attorney, Thomas Kelley, said Griffith was in the hospital, appeared Wednesday before Superior Court Judge Fred Link.

Griffith pleaded guilty Nov. 30 to involuntary manslaughter and child abuse in the May 26, 1989, death of Carla Nelson, in the El Cajon home he shared with her mother, Debbie Mahan.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Sally Penso said the girl was struck multiple times while Griffith was baby sitting her while her mother was ill with the flu.

The girl suffered massive head injuries including a skull fracture. Griffith told authorities the girl hit her head on the concrete floor in the garage while he carried in some groceries.

The girl’s paternal grandfather, Roger Nelson, told the judge, “I don’t personally believe in giving mercy to someone who would beat a little girl to death and leave her there.”

The judge commented that Griffith had taken advantage “of a position of trust” in committing the crime and denied probation.

Griffith was also fined $1,000.