There is nothing wrong with the article. In no way does the author show sympathy for Brockhill. In the opposite. Journalists are supposed to report news. This is what happens here: Brockhill accuses Smith to have done it, she says she wants to appeal. And the journalist asks the correct question: Why didn't you say this during the trial?
And this was indeed weird. Usually defendants go after each other. Brockhill's explanation to the reporter is not convincing. This could have been her exit ticket. But both lawyers used the same strategy: Not blaming the other defendant, just saying: it wasn't my client, she wasn't present. It looks like an agreement between the lawyers.
There is more proof: at the end of the trial Brockhill gave the judge a private note. While doing it, she announced that it had nothing to do with Smith. As if she wanted to say to Smith's lawyer: I stick to the rule.
Also interesting: she mentions a kick. Remember, how she lectured the prosecutor that a punch needed the same height of the toddler's stomach and her own fist? She was quite cocky, bursting of self-esteem. Now, coming from her current description, it's likely that she knew it was a kick, not a punch. (Whoever did it.)