Trial of Woman Who Killed Pregnant Mom, Stole Unborn Baby Delayed

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Mar 1, 2005   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Trial of Woman Who Killed Pregnant Mom, Stole Unborn Baby Delayed

Email this article
Printer friendly page

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 1, 2005

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — The trial of a Kansas woman who stands accused of killing a pregnant mother and stealing her unborn child probably won’t begin until next year. The trial was expected to begin next month, but both prosecutors and defense attorneys have asked for an April 2006 starting date because of the extensiveness of the case.

Attorneys for both sides filed motions Friday asking for the later date for the trial of Lisa Montgomery.

"Obtaining time to properly prepare for representing a person facing death is essential," lawyers Susan Hunt and Anita Burns wrote, according to an Associated Press story. "The necessary investigation, motions and preparation cannot be accomplished without substantial time. Defense counsel face difficult and time-consuming tasks in capital cases."

Montgomery drove to the home of Bobbie Jo Stinnett, an eight-month pregnant woman Montgomery had met through a dog show. Stinnett, 23, was found by her mother dead and with her midsection cut open.

The indictment says Montgomery killed Stinnett "in an especially heinous, cruel and depraved manner."

Montgomery had been claiming she was pregnant, as she had done on previous occasions, and called her husband at home and said she deliver a baby girl.

Family members of Montgomery say they tried to warn others that Montgomery was making up stories about being pregnant.

Montgomery’s family says their concerns were heightened when they learned she had purchased a home birth kit used by midwives to help deliver babies.

Montgomery reportedly wanted to purchase a baby and demanded money from her ex-husband’s new wife.

Victoria, the unborn child who survived the attack, is healthy and now living with her father.