Current:Home > Contact-usA Pennsylvania woman is convicted of killing her 2 young children in 2019-LoTradeCoin
A Pennsylvania woman is convicted of killing her 2 young children in 2019
View Date:2024-12-24 07:58:03
READING, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania woman was convicted of killing her two young children, who were found hanging in the basement of their home five years ago.
Lisa Snyder, 41, was convicted Tuesday of two counts of first-degree murder in the September 2019 deaths of 4-year-old Brinley and 8-year-old Conner, who were taken off life support and died three days after they were found in the home in Albany Township, about 60 miles (95 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia.
The conviction carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole.
Snyder had told police her son was bullied and had threatened to take his life, but authorities said they found no evidence to support her claim. The boy displayed no signs of trouble that day on a school bus security video. An occupational therapist later said the child wasn’t physically capable of causing that kind of harm to himself or his little sister.
Police also cited the defendant’s online searches for information about suicide, death by hanging and how to kill someone as well as episodes of a documentary crime series called “I Almost Got Away With It.” A coroner said both children were killed by hanging and ruled the deaths homicides.
The defense sought an acquittal, saying the case was based on speculation and “guesswork.”
Snyder opted for a judge instead of a jury to hear the case. Berks County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Theresa Johnson took about an hour on Tuesday before issuing a guilty verdict. Snyder also was convicted of child endangerment and evidence tampering.
Sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 17.
Snyder had sought to plead no contest but mentally ill to two counts of third-degree murder, but Johnson rejected the plea agreement last year, saying it didn’t “serve the interests of justice.”
veryGood! (8168)
Related
- Five best fits for Alex Bregman: Will Astros homegrown star leave as free agent?
- For a woman who lost her father at age 6, remembering 9/11 has meant seeking understanding
- United States takes on Google in biggest tech monopoly trial of 21st century
- Dodgers embrace imperfections as another October nears: 'We'll do whatever it takes'
- Ben Foster Files for Divorce From Laura Prepon After 6 Years of Marriage
- What do deadlifts work? Understanding this popular weight-training exercise.
- Harris, DeSantis, Giuliani among politicians marking Sept. 11 terror attacks at ground zero
- Indigenous tribes urge federal officials to deny loan request for Superior natural gas plant
- Too Hot to Handle’s Francesca Farago Gives Birth, Welcomes Twins With Jesse Sullivan
- Tip for misogynistic men: Stop thinking you're entitled to what you aren't
Ranking
- Trump’s economic agenda for his second term is clouding the outlook for mortgage rates
- Rescue teams retrieve hundreds of bodies in Derna, one of the Libyan cities devastated by floods
- 6 people fatally shot in Greece, at a seaside town near Athens
- Prosecutors drop charges against Bijan Kian, a onetime business partner of Michael Flynn
- A list of mass killings in the United States this year
- Lighthouse where walkway collapse injured visitors to remain closed for indefinite amount of time
- Drew Barrymore to restart her talk show amid strikes, drawing heated criticism
- DraftKings receives backlash for 'Never Forget' 9/11 parlay on New York teams
Recommendation
-
Sister Wives' Janelle Brown Details to Meri Why She Can't Trust Ex Kody and His Sole Wife Robyn
-
One peril facing job-hunters? Being ghosted
-
The New York ethics commission that pursued former Governor Cuomo is unconstitutional, a judge says
-
World War II veteran from Rhode Island identified using DNA evidence
-
Kate Spade Outlet’s Early Black Friday Sale – Get a $259 Bag for $59 & More Epic Deals Starting at $25
-
Fans cheer German basketball team’s return home after winning World Cup title
-
How Paul Walker's Beautiful Bond With Daughter Meadow Walker Lives On
-
Disney, Charter settle cable dispute hours before ‘Monday Night Football’ season opener