Posted on 09/15/2011 5:52:31 PM PDT by Morgana
Full title: "Stepmother of 10-year-old disabled girl Zahra sentenced to 15-18 years after pleading guilty to murdering child and dismembering her body"
The stepmother of a disabled 10-year-old girl, whose remains were found scattered across her home state, has pleaded guilty to the horrific murder and dismemberment of the child.
Elisa Baker, 42, was sentenced to about 15 to 18 years in prison after admitting second-degree murder in the death of the child as part of a plea deal.
Baker also pleaded guilty to attempting to thwart investigators by planting a fake ransom note at the family home.
Ms Baker’s plea has angered many in North Carolina who believed Ms Baker should have faced death penalty charges.
In striking her bargain, she has avoided a first degree murder conviction. She has not told authorities how Zahra died, or why.
What is known is that Elisa Baker sawed up the child's body and dispersed the parts across rugged terrain and in the woods, among the carcasses of dead animals.
The deal comes nearly a year after the Australian girl was reported missing from her home in the western North Carolina town of Hickory.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Premeditated murder means nothing any more thanks to people like Casey Anthony.
2nd degree?? Fifteen to eighteen years?? UK justice come to America?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.