Amy Leighanne Thomas was facing charges of first degree murder and a possible death sentence in a trial that was scheduled to start July 26.
She was accused in the March, 2008 death of 6-week-old Diana Nelson, who suffered burns on her arms, a fractured skull and was found to have a Xanax-like drug in her system.
|
Advertisement |
Thomas admitted to watching the baby, who was the daughter of Lindsey Daigle, on March 2, 2008. After returning Diana to her home, police said that at 1:30 a.m. on March 3, the baby’s godmother and sitter, Ashley Buras, noticed the infant was not breathing and called 9-1-1.
She was transported to then-Bogalusa Community Medical Center and later transported to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. Wood said it was the diagnosis from Children’s Hospital that eventually led to the arrest of Thomas.
“Initially, (Thomas) was not truthful with police as to what happened,” Wood said.
Medical examiners concluded that the baby died of a blunt force trauma to the head.
Thomas confessed on March 4, 2008.
The first-degree murder charge applies because of the victim’s age, Wood said. When there is intent to kill and the victim is under 12 or over 65 years of age, the charge is murder in the first degree, according to Wood.
Wood said assistant district attorney Lewis Murray was scheduled to try the case, with assistance from Scott Garden from Covington.
“Everything was in place to go forward,” Wood said.
Comments
Anonymous wrote on Aug 24, 2010 3:37 PM:
Ashley Conner wrote on Jul 23, 2010 2:57 PM: