Pastor's wife's pregnancy could increase killer's sentence
- 9 years ago
The person responsible for the slaying of an Indianapolis pastor's wife this week could face decades in prison for the crime - a sentence that would likely be enhanced, experts say, because the 28-year-old woman was pregnant.
Amanda Blackburn was found critically injured Tuesday after being shot in the head inside her home.
Because Blackburn was expecting, legal experts say anyone arrested in connection with the crime could be charged with more than her murder, a conviction on which would already send a person to prison for 45 to 65 years.
Legal experts say the options available to state prosecutors for additional charges or sentence enhancements are numerous, depending on whether the killer knew the woman was pregnant or how far along she was in her pregnancy.
Merritt said the enhancement was part of a package of criminal revisions aimed at punishing someone who harms or kills a pregnant woman, terminating her pregnancy in the process.
Amanda Blackburn was found critically injured Tuesday after being shot in the head inside her home.
Because Blackburn was expecting, legal experts say anyone arrested in connection with the crime could be charged with more than her murder, a conviction on which would already send a person to prison for 45 to 65 years.
Legal experts say the options available to state prosecutors for additional charges or sentence enhancements are numerous, depending on whether the killer knew the woman was pregnant or how far along she was in her pregnancy.
Merritt said the enhancement was part of a package of criminal revisions aimed at punishing someone who harms or kills a pregnant woman, terminating her pregnancy in the process.