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Montgomery appears in court

Montgomery makes Missouri court appearance
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Melvern woman accused of killing a Missouri woman and cutting a baby from her womb made an initial appearance this afternoon before a federal judge in Missouri.

Lisa M. Montgomery, 36, appeared in an orange jumpsuit and shackles for the 10-minute hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer. She asked for a public defender to represent her, and Maughmer asked her a series of questions.

Montgomery answered quietly -- her responses often inaudible to the those gathered in the courtroom.

If convicted, Maughmer said, Montgomery faces a minimum of life in prison and a maximum of the death penalty.

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse this afternoon, U.S. attorney Todd Graves said it's "way too early to make a determination" whether he will seek the death penalty.

Lisa MontgomeryMontgomery is scheduled to appear at a detention hearing at 2 p.m. Thursday in Kansas City, Mo., to determine whether she could be released on bond pending other proceedings. Prosecutors have filed a motion to keep Montgomery in custody.

Montgomery is accused of attacking Bobbie Jo Stinnett, 23, of Skidmore, Mo., on Dec. 16 in Stinnett's home. Montgomery allegedly strangled the expectant mother and cut an 8-month-old fetus from her abdomen. Stinnett later died.

Montgomery returned to Melvern with the newborn girl, Victoria Jo Stinnett, who was recovered Dec. 17 and united with her father.

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Lisa Montgomery appears in court
The Associated Press
A woman accused of killing a pregnant woman and cutting the baby from her womb appeared in court in Missouri Tuesday. It was Lisa Montgomery's initial appearance before a federal judge, where she's charged with kidnapping resulting in death. The hearing lasted less than 10 minutes. Montgomery answered a series of questions about whether she qualifies for a public defender. The magistrate judge said it appears that she qualifies. Montgomery is accused of strangling Bobbie Jo Stinnett -- who was eight months pregnant -- and cutting her baby girl from her womb on Dec. 16. She's scheduled to return to court Thursday for a detention hearing. Prosecutors have already asked that she be denied bond.

Posted by Editor at December 28, 2004 06:45 PM