Brian Trelatsky pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in January for killing his 10-week-old son, Tyler. But Trelatsky's attorney said Tuesday that a public defender failed to advise his client that he could spend the rest of his life in prison when the guilty plea was entered.

Superior Court Judge Ken Riley rejected the argument, applauding the public defender for his thoroughness and concluding that there was no evidence to suggest Trelatsky was poorly advised.

Trelatsky's son was found in cardiac arrest in the family's Simi Valley mobile home in March 2000. Tyler was rushed to the hospital, where he died the next day. An autopsy showed that Tyler died from trauma from an impact, shaking, or a combination of the two.

Trelatsky was arrested six months later and charged with child abuse causing death, which has a maximum prison sentence of 25 years to life. The plea agreement reached with prosecutors lessened that sentence to 15 years to life in prison.

"The people have done their best to represent Tyler during these proceedings," said Dee Corona, a senior deputy district attorney. "We cannot bring Tyler back. What we can do is make Brian Trelatsky accountable."