Jury Begins Deliberating Montgomery's Fate

Oct 25, 06:37 PM

Current Headlines: By John Shultz, The Kansas City Star, Mo.

Oct. 25--Closing arguments in Lisa Montgomery's federal death penalty trial wrapped up about 3:40 this afternoon, sending the case back to the jury following closing arguments.

The prosecution is seeking the death penalty for Montgomery, the Melvern, Kan., woman who earlier in the week was convicted of killing Bobbie Jo Stinnett in December 2004 in order to kidnap Stinnett's unborn daughter.

Montgomery's defense team unsuccessfully tried to convince the jury that she was insane at the time of the slaying. They had argued that Montgomery suffered from pseudocyesis -- the delusional belief that she was pregnant -- as well as from post traumatic stress disorder.

During penalty phase hearings, the defense continued to present testimony that Montgomery's mental health played a role in Stinnett's death at her home in Skidmore, Mo.

Expert witnesses for the prosecution have concurred that Montgomery suffers from some mental disorders. But the prosecution maintains that Montgomery killed Stinnett because she was desperate to produce a baby to back up her false pregnancy claims to her friends and family.

If the jury does not unanimously agree to execute Montgomery, she will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

| John Shultz, jshultz@kcstar.com

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