Insanity Defense Next Step in Fetus Trial

Mar 31, 04:04 PM

Current Headlines: Lawyers for Lisa Montgomery say they will use the insanity defense in a Missouri trial on charges she killed a woman and stole her unborn fetus.

The Kansas City (Mo.) Star reported that facing a new version of the indictment against Montgomery, defense lawyers said Friday they would use an insanity defense in the trial over the December 2004 killing.

Montgomery pleaded innocent in court Friday.

She is accused of murdering Bobbie Jo Stinnett and promptly removing her fetus in the hopes of passing off the living baby as her own.

Prosecutors in the case recently added the baby kidnapping charge in order to eliminate a possible appeal opportunity for Montgomery if she is eventually convicted, the newspaper said.

Defense lawyer Fred Duchardt told the Star that while he will use an insanity defense in the 2004 killing, his client is currently mentally capable.

We are not contending that Ms. Montgomery is incompetent to go forward with trial, he said.