Leilani Simon appears in court and prepares for trial in October

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Leilani Simon, the mother accused of killing her toddler Quinton and dumping his body in a dumpster, appeared in court Friday.

This comes as lawyers argue over what evidence should be admitted at trial.

The prosecution presented seven pieces of evidence that it intends to use in the trial against Leilani Simon.

They say it contains text messages, statements and phone records that show what was going on in Simon's life at the time of Quinton's death.

Prosecutors said the evidence detailed relationship problems between Simon and her then-boyfriend, as well as allegations of physical violence.

They say it shows what was going on in the mother's life at the time of her son Quinton's death.

“We said she killed her son in the middle of the night. OK? That's quite a statement for a mother,” said prosecutor Timothy Dean.

Prosecutor Timothy Dean presented testimony from Simon's longtime friend.

“…who will testify about the defendant's feelings toward Quinton's father and, by extension, toward Quinton.”

He also asked the judge to consider videos, text messages and interviews that he said showed Simon and her then-boyfriend were having relationship problems.

The prosecution wants the testimony of Quinton's babysitter to be admitted.

“…had some information that could prove a case of actual physical violence.”

Simon's lawyers objected, arguing that this personal information should not be admissible because it was irrelevant to the charges against Simon.

“The state is just offering it to make her look unstable and bad in front of the jury. That's all it's about. It has nothing to do with the state's allegations. It's just not evidence of the true facts of this case,” said Robert Persse, Leilani Simon's attorney.

Prosecutors pleaded with the judge, saying this was crucial to their case.

“We alleged that she killed her son in the middle of the night. OK? That's a pretty strong statement for a mother to make. To support our case, we have to be allowed to present evidence of these intrinsic factors, things that were going on in her life at the time, even if some of them were to some extent unsavory or unfavorable to her,” said prosecutor Timothy Dean.

Judge Tammy Stokes did not issue a ruling on Friday, although she had decided just a few days ago to reject the defense's request to drop some of the charges against Simon.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for next month ahead of a tentative trial date of October 9.

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