KY - Erica Lawson Charged in 17 month old daughter Elena's Death by Severe Abuse including SA, Middlesboro, 28 July 2023

[jnTexas]

Wow I'm super surprised that this case hasn't got more following.

How many DNA samples were on that tiny girl?! Christ alive.

There's a following on tiktok for this case. I hope they catch all of them. They all deserve the death penalty.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

There have been no further arrests made, and DNA test results are still pending from the laboratory for multiple submissions related to potential involvement in the case.

Kentucky court to seek death penalty in toddler's death - Claiborne Progress

STAFF REPORT The Bell County Commonwealth Attorney will seek the death penalty against Erica Lawson in the death of her child. Lawson was charged last month in the death of her daughter, 17-month-old Elena Hembree. On Tuesday, Lisa Fugate of the Commonwealth Attorney’s office filed a Notice of...

www.claiborneprogress.net

 

[fred&edna]

There have been no further arrests made, and DNA test results are still pending from the laboratory for multiple submissions related to potential involvement in the case.

Kentucky court to seek death penalty in toddler's death - Claiborne Progress

STAFF REPORT The Bell County Commonwealth Attorney will seek the death penalty against Erica Lawson in the death of her child. Lawson was charged last month in the death of her daughter, 17-month-old Elena Hembree. On Tuesday, Lisa Fugate of the Commonwealth Attorney’s office filed a Notice of...

www.claiborneprogress.net

I want them to hurry with the DNA (but, of course be accurate)... I want these evil, evil $%^$#^% arrested yesterday!

Did EL not provide names for quick testing??

 

[iusedtofloat]

Just heard of this today. Absolutely horrendous. Nauseating. My niece is this age. I think I'd legitimately do something to land me in jail if this happened in my family.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Lawson appeared in Bell County Circuit Court via Zoom Monday, from where she is being held in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Her defense team filed a motion to dismiss the case or the court to strike death as an available penalty.

After hearing from Lawson’s defense team and State Attorney for Bell County Lisa Fugate, Judge Keith Nagle decided to postpone the motion hearing to March 20, after Fugate requested additional time to respond to the motion. She said the state received the motion on Friday.

Lawson’s attorney Gregory Coulson said the defense has been waiting for the state’s clarification on why the death penalty should apply to this case.

“What’s notable to me, your honor, is that the Commonwealth, once they received this motion, took the time to respond to the other motions that were pending but did not respond to this motion. And in fact, this motion, the initial motion for the bill of particulars was raised in arraignment five months ago,” Coulson said during the hearing.

Attorney for Kentucky mom charged in child’s death wants death penalty off the table

A Kentucky woman who was charged the death of her 17-month-old daughter appeared in court on Monday.

fox56news.com

 

[tlcya]

The motion to dismiss was filed in January 2024. It claims that the case against Lawson was rushed and that there is “zero evidence that any person sexually abused the child.”

The motion also claimed that there was no male DNA found on or in the child. Fugate said that this, among other assertions in the motion, was misleading. She said there is still more testing to be completed.

“Testing is not complete on that, and that’s absolutely untrue. There’s actually been, I want to say four male DNA, what we call buckle standards, DNA standards, in order to compare that DNA that’s pending right now,” Fugate said.

She also said any additional arrests in the case will depend on the remaining DNA results.
Attorney for Kentucky mom charged in child’s death wants death penalty off the table

 

[tlcya]

Nagle said the state has until Feb. 17 to file its memorandum on the bill of particulars. The defense will then have until March 8 to file a response. The reset hearing will take place on March 20 at 9 a.m.
from the link just above

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Erica Lawson is so hated and her alleged crime so widely known in her home county that there's no way to ensure she can get a fair trial from jurors picked from the Bell County, Ky., area, her lawyers contend.

They've filed a motion, along with dozens of pages of exhibits, seeking a change of venue out of the southeast Kentucky area.

They say so much is known about the murder case that they can't rely on jurors who live anywhere within the Knoxville media market.

Commonwealth's Attorney Lisa Fugate is seeking the death penalty when Lawson faces trial.

Citing heavy publicity and threats, KY mom accused of killing toddler daughter asks for jury from outside her home county

Erica Lawson is accused in the July 2023 murder of 17-month-old daughter Elena.

www.wbir.com

 

[borndem]

Many people oppose the imposition of the Death Penalty, but IMO, this horror should go to the top of the list for the DP.

Fly high, Little Girl, never will you feel fear or pain again.

 

[fred&edna]

I'm quite concerned about what is or is not happening with this case. So, as of March 2024 no male DNA was found on Elena's body. But, today they stated they are waiting on further testing?

“After an extensive investigation and long-awaited DNA result, the Kentucky State Police Forensic Lab found a lack of male DNA in their analysis.

Furthermore, after the release of the Autopsy Report (prepared by Kentucky Medical Examiners Office gathered by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital specifically the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit), it has now been revealed the cause of death of Elena Hembree was non accidental blunt force trauma.

Read more at: MPD issues update on investigation into Baby Elena’s death - Claiborne Progress

 

[nao]

Moo.. cannot access above link. The autopsy report, not what I expected , what is accurate?

 

[MIG214222]

Moo.. cannot access above link. The autopsy report, not what I expected , what is accurate?

Hi @nao,
I selected "Continue without registration" & was then able to access: MPD issues update on investigation into Baby Elena’s death - Claiborne Progress.

Justice for Baby Elena, may angels protect you & comfort you for evermore.

MOO.

 

[tlcya]

I am glad to know that at least Elena did not suffer SA. Bad enough that she died through blunt force trauma but my heart hurt thinking she suffered further indignities before her death.

 

[?!?]

https://www.wate.com/news/top-stories/one-year-since-death-of-baby-elena-middlesboro-community-reflects-on-case/

 

[?!?]

Kentucky mom faces death penalty after she allegedly abused her 17-month-old baby to death

All of these charges are in connection with the death of her 17-month-old daughter Elena.

local12.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

In addition, for murder to be considered for the death penalty, “intentionality must be proved.” It goes on to explain that the Commonwealth does not believe the death penalty is warranted and cannot prove whether or not the 17-month-old girl was killed intentionally.

https://www.wate.com/news/kentucky/death-penalty-withdrawn-in-case-of-kentucky-mom-charged-in-childs-death/

 

[iamshadow21]

In addition, for murder to be considered for the death penalty, “intentionality must be proved.” It goes on to explain that the Commonwealth does not believe the death penalty is warranted and cannot prove whether or not the 17-month-old girl was killed intentionally.

https://www.wate.com/news/kentucky/death-penalty-withdrawn-in-case-of-kentucky-mom-charged-in-childs-death/

It really sticks in my craw that when extreme violence is enacted on the very young, that this can even be a question that results in reduction of charges.

It's a baby. Everyone knows that if they use a certain level of force and harm on a baby, it is likely to kill them. And that level is very low. It's a baby. You hit a baby, you shouldn't get the same wiggle room you get if you get an unlucky punch on an adult that results in serious harm or death. They are a tiny delicate package of eggshell bones and tender developing tissues that can be killed by a shake that wouldn't even bruise an adult.

I'm so angry right now.

MOO

 

[Gemmie]

Hi @nao,
I selected "Continue without registration" & was then able to access: MPD issues update on investigation into Baby Elena’s death - Claiborne Progress.View attachment 501112
View attachment 501115

Justice for Baby Elena, may angels protect you & comfort you for evermore.

MOO.

I always hit the Esc key which works most of the time.