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GB mom pleads not guilty by reason of insanity
Woman accused of drowning 8-day-old daughter
Kristina Fuelling
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A Granite Bay woman accused of drowning her 8-day-old daughter entered a not guilty by reason of insanity plea in an Auburn courtroom Thursday morning.
Kristina Fuelling, 27, is charged with first-degree murder and a count of assault on a child causing death in the Jan. 20 death of her daughter Faith.
The plea means that a jury will first try Fuelling as to whether she is innocent or guilty. If she is found guilty, the same jury will then decide if she was legally insane at the time of the drowning.
Judge Richard Couzens told Fuelling that if she is found guilty and subsequently found legally insane at the time of the crime, she could be placed in a state mental hospital for a minimum of six months and a maximum life sentence.
Fuelling broke down in tears in the courtroom as Couzens explained her possible sentence.
Outside of the courtroom, defense attorney Tom Johnson offered a statement.
“Postpartum depression affects a certain percentage of women who give birth to children,” Johnson said. “There are times when it degenerates into psychosis. Medical facts have established it as a medical issue, and it’s recognized in the medical community worldwide. We’re looking forward to a hearing on that issue.”
Family members for Fuelling were present but declined to comment.
In the courtroom, deputy district attorney Jeff Wilson spoke on behalf of prosecutor Scott Owens, who is out of town.
Wilson and Johnson told Couzens they would like to wait until Owens’ return to appoint a doctor for Fuelling.
Fuelling remains in custody without bail at Placer County Jail.
Fuelling will appear in Placer County Superior Court for an early status conference and appointment of a doctor at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 15 in Dept. 13.
-Jenifer Gee
Kristina Fuelling, postpartum depression, Scott Owens, Tom Johnson
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Could a sane person drown a newborn? I don't think so.
Of course she dropped the 'insanity' card. What the hell else is she supposed to do? Evil always gets off by saying it's crazy. And shock of shocks...the first post is a leftist making an excuse.
Christ...the 60's were the darkest time of this nation. We're still dealing with the idiot ideas that vomited forth out of that drug induced stupor.
Fry her...slowly.
MRex21: Are you really that dense?? Let me explain it for you: Salamander is saying that an insanity defense in cases like these don't really mean anything because on it's face, it's crazy in general to kill one's newborn, therefore a much higher threshold would have to be met in order to justify an insanity defense.
What were YOU taking during the sixties??
Salamander, correct me if I'm wrong about my interpretation of your post.
You know the 60's where civil rights raised it's ugly head, people were more informed by television and well... freedom rang. Mrex21 objects to any of these but obviously he suffered from some brain damage. He could use the insanity defense quite well himself.
"Der Liberals!" We need a scapegpat. In Germany it was "Der Juden". Today, here, it's "der liberals."
Looks like I threw a brick at 'Big Left's' beehive.
I rest my case. Useful idiots, indeed.
MRex21, this is a tragic event that transends ideology.
Yes steelybob, you understood my post. I think we have to excuse MRex21, it's obvious that the burden of being an insufferable know it all has gotten to him. He seems to think that sane people kill their babies. If only it were that simple.... Maybe if someone could , (after 12 hours of severe abdominal pain) pull an 8 pound human out his fanny and give him a few shots of Estrogen, we could see how stable and sane he feels.
MRex21-And as for being liberal, don't pretend to know me, I think my mixed bag of beliefs would surprise even you. As for the drug induced stupor, it was Auburn, not much available in the way of drugs. But man, the Sloe Gin was great.
chunga-Don't try to reason with the guy. This is the same person who thought kids should stay home for the first 6 or 7 years of life. Oh sorry, I mean "spawn and larve". should stay home. Wouldn't want to misquote.