PA - Leon Katz, infant, murdered, and twin, injured by babysitter, Pittsburgh- June 24, 2024

[Curious Me]

These are the two news articles from the PA area where this happened. I think they stick to the facts without too much sensationalism. They also provide video news reports. That second link shows all the family and friends who showed up for the initial arraignment hearing that only lasted minutes. Looks like the twin's parents have many friends and a caring community's support.

NV's decision was to not enter her plea that day. NV's attorney gave that statement that NV, on that date, "was respectful in not wanting to put the family through hearing the heart wrenching details of what happened". Argh, that must've really exasperated the twin's parents and people who showed up... they want and demand some darn answers. No glossing over the facts at trial. Everything has to be revealed. Let's get to the bottom of this tragedy.

Next court date is August 23 when she'll enter her plea. ​

Updated: 9:26 AM EDT Jun 18, 2024

Woman accused of killing infant, assaulting his twin brother in Shadyside

According to investigators, one of the twins, 6-week-old Leon Katz, died of blunt-force trauma to the head.

www.wtae.com

Updated: 7:22 PM EDT Jul 24, 2024

San Diego woman faces trial in killing of one Pittsburgh baby twin, assault on other

Nicole Virzi, a 29-year-old psychology doctoral student, was brought from jail to court for the proceeding and the courtroom was filled with family and friends of the parents of the twins, who were present as well.

www.wtae.com

 

[steeltowngirl]

I've read 2 different stories. One, NV fell asleep and baby screaming woke her up. Two, NV left room to go to kitchen and get bottle and found infant on floor. Don't know which version is correct.

^RSBM

My money is on neither version is correct.

jmo

 

[SMK777]

^RSBM

My money is on neither version is correct.

jmo

Do you think it was more along the lines of losing her temper with an infant who wouldn’t settle down?

 

[steeltowngirl]

Do you think it was more along the lines of losing her temper with an infant who wouldn’t settle down?

I am honestly not sure what to think. I think I mentioned that I sat on a jury in a case where a toddler was left paralyzed and blind from an abusive head injury. In that case, we later learned that the defendant was covering for the actual abuser by saying it was an accident.

I believe someone lost their temper. If it was NV, it could have been frustration with the infant. It could have been anger at the parents for having been left to babysit, maybe longer than intended. It could have been anger at someone else entirely - maybe she took a phone call that set her off.

There is so much here that we don’t know yet.

jmo

 

[SMK777]

I am honestly not sure what to think. I think I mentioned that I sat on a jury in a case where a toddler was left paralyzed and blind from an abusive head injury. In that case, we later learned that the defendant was covering for the actual abuser by saying it was an accident.

I believe someone lost their temper. If it was NV, it could have been frustration with the infant. It could have been anger at the parents for having been left to babysit, maybe longer than intended. It could have been anger at someone else entirely - maybe she took a phone call that set her off.

There is so much here that we don’t know yet.

jmo

Yes, I hope investigators and the trial will get to the bottom of it. Very perplexing with the first twin at the ER while this unfolded.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

"PITTSBURGH —
The San Diego woman charged with killing one baby twin and assaulting the other while visiting the newborn's parents in Shadyside chose to waive her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Nicole Virzi, a 29-year-old psychology doctoral student, was brought from jail to court for the proceeding and the courtroom was filled with family and friends of the parents of the twins, who were present as well.

But the proceeding lasted only a minute as the defendant waived her right to this day in court. Her defense attorney says Virzi will plead not guilty at trial."

San Diego woman faces trial in killing of one Pittsburgh baby twin, assault on other

Nicole Virzi, a 29-year-old psychology doctoral student, was brought from jail to court for the proceeding and the courtroom was filled with family and friends of the parents of the twins, who were present as well.

www.wtae.com

 

[Cedars]

Yes, I hope investigators and the trial will get to the bottom of it. Very perplexing with the first twin at the ER while this unfolded.

I'm not sure whether investigators will be able to explain what exactly she did and why. That will be up to her, I think, and chances are she'll protect herself rather than be completely honest about her own state of mind.

I think clinical psychologists are expected to have very strong control over their own tempers. They are expected to never 'lash out' with violence at patients, for example.

JMO

 

[SMK777]

I'm not sure whether investigators will be able to explain what exactly she did and why. That will be up to her, I think, and chances are she'll protect herself rather than be completely honest about her own state of mind.

I think clinical psychologists are expected to have very strong control over their own tempers. They are expected to never 'lash out' with violence at patients, for example.

JMO

True, but what do you suppose happened, with the first twin, and then the second? The jury will surely want to know. Was she under the influence of drugs or something? The whole thing makes little sense to me. It’s not like she was some child care worker who snapped from too much daily stress. She was visiting friends in the academic community. It just isn’t adding up for me….

 

[Cedars]

True, but what do you suppose happened, with the first twin, and then the second? The jury will surely want to know. Was she under the influence of drugs or something? The whole thing makes little sense to me. It’s not like she was some child care worker who snapped from too much daily stress. She was visiting friends in the academic community. It just isn’t adding up for me….

I agree, it's very puzzling. Drugs are always possible, though I think first responders/police would have noticed.

IMO, it's something very weird to do with her state of mind, and possibly her relationship with the mother or something. Perhaps the first incident led to the second ie someone might get even more deeply into whatever the crazy was, while being alone waiting/anticipating being blamed for it?

JMO

 

[SMK777]

I I agree, it's very puzzling. Drugs are always possible, though I think first responders/police would have noticed.

IMO, it's something very weird to do with her state of mind, and possibly her relationship with the mother or something. Perhaps the first incident led to the second ie someone might get even more deeply into whatever the crazy was, while being alone waiting/anticipating being blamed for it?

JMO

Yes, it might have escalated. But if so, then she was definitely not normal, but a ticking time bomb. To be a PhD student, visiting people in another city within the academic community and to offer to baby sit — and then to let things get that crazy and out of hand is just way beyond the norm.

Picture yourself in these circumstances, could you possibly have let these events happen?

As I said earlier, we’ve all seen stories about the child care workers, some of them with secret addictions issues, who are maybe uneducated, overworked or stressed and then snap.

But this was a very different situation, almost festive, visiting another city and meeting fellow academics: And she the daughter of a prominent specialist— I am just baffled.

I feel like I’m missing a big part of the story….

 

[Ray_of_hope]

^RSBM

My money is on neither version is correct.

jmo

True, I meant that I didn't know which version of the story to the police was correct. But I do agree with you that neither is what really happened. Great point.

 

[Curious Me]

Did NV lose patience and self-control because she didn't know how to deal with crying infants. MOO, there are times babies can be very demanding and require super human patience. My kids were pretty easy babies, but I know sometimes a fussy baby persistently wailing and crying tends to drive the loving parents crazy, but that's their child.

(Once, years ago, persistent noise caused a tenant in the below apt. to go upstairs and start stabbing the person who lived there to stop the noise.)

On the other hand, NV just got into town that week, not bonded to those babies. She may have thought she knew how to handle babies and ran into unexpected fussiness. Go ahead, run a search "baby's frantic crying can drive you crazy" and there's plenty of results and crazy is the common word. Of course, most parents don't feel anger and many have prepared themselves by reading up on infant care and how to deal with a fussy baby. Wondering if NV lacked all patience or tools, despite all her academic accomplishments. All MOO here.​