PA - Conner Snyder, 8, & Brinley, 4, hangings, Berks Co., 23 Sept 2019 *Mom arrested* *GRAPHIC* #2

[katydid23]

“I’m human.”

Unlike the murderer in this case. Or, apparently, her attorney.

What on earth would prompt him or her to ask such a sociopathic question?

I am so glad she asked that question---was the jury present? I sure hope so....

 

[Seattle1]

I am so glad she asked that question---was the jury present? I sure hope so....

It was the preliminary hearing.

 

[moody_chicago]

I agree that 'obtaining psychiatric care does not mean CPS should be involved or that a person with mental illness can't care for children.'

Someone can for example, battle depression or bi-polar disorder and be a capable parent. But here is how the defense attorney described their client:

"...Snyder has a “chronic history of severe mental disorders,” including major depression with psychotic features, anxiety disorder, affective disorder and post-partum depression dating to when she was 16.

At the time of the alleged homicides, they said, Snyder had recurrent and severe depression as well as borderline personality disorder and symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, multiple personality disorder and dissociative disorder."


So this is a bit more than your standard mental health issue. It is 'severe mental disorders' including MAJOR Depression and Psychosis.

A parent with a series of severe mental disorders, including major depression with psychotic features, should NOT be a single parent of two young children.

Even if a mental health patient does not 'harm' themselves or their children, there should be some CPS involvement or close supervision by a responsible adult, if that patient is having severe depression with psychotic episodes and post partum depression.

How many cases have we seen here where a post partum patient or a psychotic patient has snapped and harmed or killed someone? Way too many, IMO.

YES YES YES THIS
If a woman experiences psychosis, multiple personalities, AND post partum depression? Do NOT let her parent alone.
This is a paranoid individual who sees and hears things that aren’t here, might hold resentment toward her children and has alternate personalities take over every once and a while? That is a recipe for disaster if I’ve ever heard one.

jmo

 

[Niner]

Thursday, February 25th:
*Motion Hearing (@ 8:30am ET) – PA – Conner Snyder (8) & Brinley L. Snyder (4) (Sept. 23, 2019, Albany Township; found hanging from basement rafters) - *Lisa Rachelle Snyder (36/now 38) “mom” arrested (12/2/19), charged (12/9/19) & arraigned (3/12/20) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of 3rd degree murder, 1 count of tampering with or fabricating evidence, 2 counts of endangering the welfare of children, 1 counts of animal cruelty & 2 counts of sexual intercourse with an animal (with a dog). Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Information & court info from 12/19/19 thru 6/29/20 reference post #552 here:
PA - Conner Snyder, 8, & Brinley, 4, hangings, Berks Co., 23 Sept 2019 *Mom arrested* *GRAPHIC* #2
8/10/20: Order re: Defendant's motion to proceed in forma pauperis granted. 8/21/20: Defendant's motion for court appointment of mitigation specialist & PI. 9/1/20 filed on 10/21/20: Application for search warrant-granted. Receipt/inventory of seize property. Status hearing on 11/12/20.
11/12/20 Update: A lengthy motion filed in advance of a court hearing in Reading on Thursday for Snyder discusses the attorneys' plan to launch an insanity plea on behalf of his client. The court documents discuss Snyder's mental capacity at the time of the children's deaths on Sept. 26, 2019. Her attorneys state in the motion that she has a "chronic history of severe mental disorders," which include depression with psychotic features, anxiety & effective disorders & other mental issues. The motion states when the children were killed, Snyder was suffering from major depressive disorder & borderline personality disorder. The court documents also ask for other relief, including that the dog-related sexual charges be detached from the murder charges because Snyder's attorneys believe they have no bearing on the case & may taint the jury's perception. The motion also requests a change of venue, citing extensive pretrial publicity in Berks County, and that crime scene photos & Snyder's online search history prior to the children's deaths not be shown to the jury. Next hearing on 2/12/21. Also, a hearing is set for 2/25/21 over the defense motion that opposes use of the internet history. Her attorneys have also requested that she be tried in her home county & for the bestiality charge to be tried separately from the murder counts. Prosecutors have opposed both requests.
2/12/21 Update: Status hearing was cancelled. Next motions hearing on 2/25/21 re defense motion opposing use of internet history & separate bestiality charge from murder counts.

 

[kittythehare]

Thursday, February 25th:
*Motion Hearing (@ 8:30am ET) – PA – Conner Snyder (8) & Brinley L. Snyder (4) (Sept. 23, 2019, Albany Township; found hanging from basement rafters) - *Lisa Rachelle Snyder (36/now 38) “mom” arrested (12/2/19), charged (12/9/19) & arraigned (3/12/20) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of 3rd degree murder, 1 count of tampering with or fabricating evidence, 2 counts of endangering the welfare of children, 1 counts of animal cruelty & 2 counts of sexual intercourse with an animal (with a dog). Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Information & court info from 12/19/19 thru 6/29/20 reference post #552 here:
PA - Conner Snyder, 8, & Brinley, 4, hangings, Berks Co., 23 Sept 2019 *Mom arrested* *GRAPHIC* #2
8/10/20: Order re: Defendant's motion to proceed in forma pauperis granted. 8/21/20: Defendant's motion for court appointment of mitigation specialist & PI. 9/1/20 filed on 10/21/20: Application for search warrant-granted. Receipt/inventory of seize property. Status hearing on 11/12/20.
11/12/20 Update: A lengthy motion filed in advance of a court hearing in Reading on Thursday for Snyder discusses the attorneys' plan to launch an insanity plea on behalf of his client. The court documents discuss Snyder's mental capacity at the time of the children's deaths on Sept. 26, 2019. Her attorneys state in the motion that she has a "chronic history of severe mental disorders," which include depression with psychotic features, anxiety & effective disorders & other mental issues. The motion states when the children were killed, Snyder was suffering from major depressive disorder & borderline personality disorder. The court documents also ask for other relief, including that the dog-related sexual charges be detached from the murder charges because Snyder's attorneys believe they have no bearing on the case & may taint the jury's perception. The motion also requests a change of venue, citing extensive pretrial publicity in Berks County, and that crime scene photos & Snyder's online search history prior to the children's deaths not be shown to the jury. Next hearing on 2/12/21. Also, a hearing is set for 2/25/21 over the defense motion that opposes use of the internet history. Her attorneys have also requested that she be tried in her home county & for the bestiality charge to be tried separately from the murder counts. Prosecutors have opposed both requests.
2/12/21 Update: Status hearing was cancelled. Next motions hearing on 2/25/21 re defense motion opposing use of internet history & separate bestiality charge from murder counts.

Insanity, eh?
How long did the 'bout' of insanity last, exactly?
I can't!!!

 

[Shamrock1]

The bestiality charge should be tried separately. It really is unduly prejudicial. JMO.

 

[kittythehare]

The bestiality charge should be tried separately. It really is unduly prejudicial. JMO.

It is, but no more than if she had been a nun in an enclosed order, attests to her character.
It shows her nature was cruel , she didn't respect animals, she didn't even respect her children.
This lady is entering an armload of psychiatric defences for her cruelty.
Somewhere along the road though, she made choices for herself that caused death and pain for others.
Cruelty is her game.
And I was one of less than a handful of people that thought she might have been a victim of a set up, that somebody else had done this.

So, yes, it's prejudicial, but she prejudiced herself by carrying out a sexual act with a poor confused gentle animal.
That dog had no choice.
Her children had no choice.

Which of the known psychiatric disorders has a tendency towards sexual acts with innocent animals?

Many women work as sex workers in order to feed their children. And that, too is a choice, but maybe they don't have a lot of options.

This is much different.
This was always about her gratification and she took it when she wanted it and it involved the abuse of a creature, a harmless creature. Or several.
And she considered this to be such a fine thing that she took photographs and she sent them to people.

This lady did this to herself.

 

[Lusitana]

The bestiality charge should be tried separately. It really is unduly prejudicial. JMO.

She chose to kill her children with a dog leash... a dog leash of all things.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Pre-trial hearing held for mom accused of hanging 2 kids

All parties in the case of Lisa Snyder met virtually to lay out details in a 12-part motion filed by Snyder's lawyer, Dennis Charles.

The judge scheduled another hearing for two parts of the motion, the first regarding Snyder's charge of tampering with evidence. She's accused to destroying or otherwise tampering with a cell phone once in her possession.

The other motion was to have Snyder tried separately for her charges of having sexual intercourse with an animal.

The defense also filed a motion for a change of venue -- meaning the trial would take place in another county -- or a change of venire -- meaning a jury from outside Berks would be selected and bused to Reading to hear the trial.

No hearing date has been scheduled yet for that motion.

Snyder remains in the Berks County Jail without bail. The next hearing in her case is scheduled for April 9.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

 

[Shamrock1]

It is, but no more than if she had been a nun in an enclosed order, attests to her character.
It shows her nature was cruel , she didn't respect animals, she didn't even respect her children.
This lady is entering an armload of psychiatric defences for her cruelty.
Somewhere along the road though, she made choices for herself that caused death and pain for others.
Cruelty is her game.
And I was one of less than a handful of people that thought she might have been a victim of a set up, that somebody else had done this.

So, yes, it's prejudicial, but she prejudiced herself by carrying out a sexual act with a poor confused gentle animal.
That dog had no choice.
Her children had no choice.

Which of the known psychiatric disorders has a tendency towards sexual acts with innocent animals?

Many women work as sex workers in order to feed their children. And that, too is a choice, but maybe they don't have a lot of options.

This is much different.
This was always about her gratification and she took it when she wanted it and it involved the abuse of a creature, a harmless creature. Or several.
And she considered this to be such a fine thing that she took photographs and she sent them to people.

This lady did this to herself.

Under Pa Rule of Evidence 404(a)(1), evidence of a character trait isn’t admissible to prove that a person acted in accordance with that trait on a specific occasion. That is, prosecution is unlikely to be allowed to argue that the sort of person who abuses animals is also likely to have murdered two children.

That’s admissibility, in a nutshell . Character evidence and all its exceptions is an interesting read! I was saying that the two charges really ought to be tried separately, because there’s a huge risk of prejudice...most jurors will be so disgusted by the bestiality charge that they’ll be unlikely to give LS a fair trial on the homicide charges. After all, she’s entitled to a fair trial. JMO.

 

[kittythehare]

Under Pa Rule of Evidence 404(a)(1), evidence of a character trait isn’t admissible to prove that a person acted in accordance with that trait on a specific occasion. That is, prosecution is unlikely to be allowed to argue that the sort of person who abuses animals is also likely to have murdered two children.

That’s admissibility, in a nutshell . Character evidence and all its exceptions is an interesting read! I was saying that the two charges really ought to be tried separately, because there’s a huge risk of prejudice...most jurors will be so disgusted by the bestiality charge that they’ll be unlikely to give LS a fair trial on the homicide charges. After all, she’s entitled to a fair trial. JMO.

Do you have a link, please?

 

[Shamrock1]

Do you have a link, please?

To the rules of evidence? Sure.
225 Pa. Code Rule 404. Character Evidence; Crimes or Other Acts.

 

[Seattle1]

Under Pa Rule of Evidence 404(a)(1), evidence of a character trait isn’t admissible to prove that a person acted in accordance with that trait on a specific occasion. That is, prosecution is unlikely to be allowed to argue that the sort of person who abuses animals is also likely to have murdered two children.

That’s admissibility, in a nutshell . Character evidence and all its exceptions is an interesting read! I was saying that the two charges really ought to be tried separately, because there’s a huge risk of prejudice...most jurors will be so disgusted by the bestiality charge that they’ll be unlikely to give LS a fair trial on the homicide charges. After all, she’s entitled to a fair trial. JMO.

I'm not aware if the State is trying to join the charges in order to admit potential evidence from the party/witness she allegedly shared the photos with. As far as I recall, I don't believe we even know the date/timeframe of the lewd photos.

However, and if not, I agree that the charges should be kept separate as I think including the bestiality charges with the murder case would be prejudicial to her.

I also think LS will be convicted of both charges whether separate from the murder case or not.

Both sides of the Lisa Snyder murder case are in a tug of war over some “lewd” evidence.

[..]

Another fraught matter in this case is another charge in which Snyder is accused of having sexual relations with a dog.

As told in the allegations, certain incriminating pictures surfaced during the death investigation. Her defense has been trying to split this from the murder case, arguing that it will prejudice the jury against Snyder.

 

[kittythehare]

To the rules of evidence? Sure.
225 Pa. Code Rule 404. Character Evidence; Crimes or Other Acts.

But it's not just her character, is it?
It is actually another crime of abuse.
Another criminal action.
It's only character if the jury perceive it as so.
I think they are entitled to her criminal record.

 

[Shamrock1]

But it's not just her character, is it?
It is actually another crime of abuse.
Another criminal action.
It's only character if the jury perceive it as so.
I think they are entitled to her criminal record.

Other crimes & wrongs are generally not admissible to prove that def committed the act at issue. That’s Rule 404(b). Other crimes/wrongs may be admissible - it all depends how that prior bad act is being used at trial. For example, are you trying to use a prior act to show she’s an awful person? Likely inadmissible. There’s several exceptions to when a prior bad act is admissible - it includes motive, identity, and lack of accident. But even where a prior bad act *is* probative, it’s still excluded where the risk of prejudice outweighs the probative value of that evidence. So what’s the probative value of bestiality to two acts of homicide? I don’t know...I’d rather not think too hard about that before bed

A lot of the evidentiary rules do seem contrary to common sense - but the overarching purpose is a fair trial.

Link to 404(b)
225 Pa. Code Rule 404. Character Evidence; Crimes or Other Acts.

 

[kittythehare]

Other crimes & wrongs are generally not admissible to prove that def committed the act at issue. That’s Rule 404(b). Other crimes/wrongs may be admissible - it all depends how that prior bad act is being used at trial. For example, are you trying to use a prior act to show she’s an awful person? Likely inadmissible. There’s several exceptions to when a prior bad act is admissible - it includes motive, identity, and lack of accident. But even where a prior bad act *is* probative, it’s still excluded where the risk of prejudice outweighs the probative value of that evidence. So what’s the probative value of bestiality to two acts of homicide? I don’t know...I’d rather not think too hard about that before bed

A lot of the evidentiary rules do seem contrary to common sense - but the overarching purpose is a fair trial.

Link to 404(b)
225 Pa. Code Rule 404. Character Evidence; Crimes or Other Acts.

I try not to think about it too.
It was a mega BOMBSHELL when she was charged!

Nobody expected it, most people expected she would be charged, except me who was fully convinced for ages that she had been set up.
Yet, they were permitted to pursue the charge with the murder charge..

I imagine it will be a separate case in the end.That just leaves us with a lady claiming all kinds of psychiatric ailments and two dead children that nobody is responsible for cos she was ill.
The stakes are high because its a DP case.
It will take a very long time to select a jury.
In the case of YingYing Zhang, two jurors decided they were against the DP having sworn they were not on selection and having completed a really lengthy and detailed questionnaire that looked to be bomb-proof in that Federal case.

So, I wouldn't be sorry if the dog stayed.
If there is really any justice at all.

 

[abbyrdpsu]

An evidentiary hearing has been scheduled for April 9, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.
https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/Repor...-CR-0000570-2020&dnh=DtQ49lLgmnPYLvMR5vA5vg==

 

[Niner]

Friday, April 9th:
*Evidentiary Motions Hearing (@ 8:30am ET) – PA – Conner Snyder (8) & Brinley L. Snyder (4) (Sept. 23, 2019, Albany Township; found hanging from basement rafters) - *Lisa Rachelle Snyder (36/now 38) “mom” arrested (12/2/19), charged (12/9/19) & arraigned (3/12/20) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of 3rd degree murder, 1 count of tampering with or fabricating evidence, 2 counts of endangering the welfare of children, 1 counts of animal cruelty & 2 counts of sexual intercourse with an animal (with a dog). Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Information & court info from 12/19/19 thru 11/12/20 reference post #629 here:
PA - Conner Snyder, 8, & Brinley, 4, hangings, Berks Co., 23 Sept 2019 *Mom arrested* *GRAPHIC* #2
2/12/21 Update: Status hearing was cancelled. Next motions hearing on 2/25/21 re defense motion opposing use of internet history & separate bestiality charge from murder counts.
2/25/21 Update: All parties met virtually to lay out details in a 12-part motion filed by Snyder's lawyer, Dennis Charles. The judge scheduled another hearing for two parts of the motion, the first regarding Snyder's charge of tampering with evidence. She's accused to destroying or otherwise tampering with a cell phone once in her possession. The other motion was to have Snyder tried separately for her charges of having sexual intercourse with an animal. The defense also filed a motion for a change of venue or a change of venire--meaning a jury from outside Berks would be selected & bused to Reading to hear the trial. No hearing date has been scheduled yet for that motion. Defense attorney Charles said he plans to present an insanity defense for Snyder. Snyder remains in the Berks County Jail without bail. The next evidentiary motions hearing is scheduled for 4/9/21.

 

[Seattle1]

LaurieMasonSchroeder
@LehighCourts


Judge signals he won’t allow dog sex charges in trial of Berks mom Lisa Snyder, accused of hanging her children



Judge signals he won’t allow dog sex charges in Berks County mom Lisa Snyder’s trial for hanging...
Berks County President Judge Paul Yatron said he could not envision a reason for a jury to hear about the salacious allegations that wasn’t prejudicial. Lisa Snyder is accused of fatally hanging her...
mcall.com

10:44 AM · Apr 9, 2021

 

[Seattle1]

Judge signals he won’t allow dog sex charges in trial of Berks mom Lisa Snyder, accused of hanging her children

April 9, 2021

Jurors deciding the case of Lisa Snyder, the Berks County mother accused of fatally hanging her two children in the basement of her Albany Township home in 2019, will likely not be asked to also decide whether Snyder engaged in sex acts with her dog.

Berks County President Judge Paul Yatron signaled during a pretrial hearing in Reading Friday that he would grant a defense motion to sever charges related to animal abuse from the homicide counts, telling Assistant District Attorney Margaret McCallum that he could not envision a reason for a jury to hear about the salacious allegations that wasn’t prejudicial.

[..]

Snyder denies the charges, saying she found the children and was unable to get them down because she was having an anxiety attack that made her sweat profusely. She told first responders that her son was bullied at school and had talked about ending his life in the weeks leading up to the hangings.

Prosecutors have said there is no evidence that Conner was bullied.

[..]

State police seized numerous cellphones from Snyder’s home and allegedly found evidence that she used one of the devices to order the dog leash the morning of the incident. In court Friday, Trooper Jordan Hoffman testified that Snyder called the barracks after her phones were seized, complaining that investigators also took a phone that she purchased after her children’s deaths.

Snyder was angry, Hoffman testified, and demanded to speak to a supervisor. Cpl. John Sleboda took her call.

He told the judge that Snyder told him “I got that phone after the incident,” and went on to say that she wanted to cooperate with the investigation but her lawyer wouldn’t allow it. Sleboda testified that he questioned Snyder about the missing Samsung phone, and she insisted that she lost it before her children started school that year, which was Aug. 26.

Cpl. John Maggs, a state police car technology expert, testified that the phone was paired with Snyder’s vehicle on Sept. 27, four days after the children were found hanging.

Trooper Daniel Womer testified that he executed a search warrant for Snyder’s Facebook account and discovered a lengthy “sexually explicit exchange” with a man. Judge Yatron warned McCallum that he would not allow the trooper to read the transcript into the record.

Police say Snyder sent the same man sexually explicit photos of herself with her dog.