Lisa Montgomery, 39, has been charged with the kidnapping resulting in death of Bobbie Jo Stinnett, 23, in December 2004.Jury selection into the trial of a woman accused of killing a pregnant woman and stealing the baby from the victim’s womb has started in Kansas City, Missouri.
Lisa Montgomery allegedly strangled Stinnett and used a kitchen knife to cut the baby from her womb and take her as her own. The baby, named Victoria Jo Stinnett, survived the attack.
The accused was reportedly nine months into a fake pregnancy and was desperate for a baby because her family were asking questions about her pregnancy.
Montgomery has pleaded not guilty. Her lawyers have said they plan to use insanity as a defence. If the jury accept, the accused will be spared the death penalty.
The prosecution has a strong case which includes DNA evidence, a confession by the accused and the fact that the baby was taken from Montgomery’s arms. If she is not found guilty due to insanity, she could be confined to a mental institution.
