Mother Accused Of Killing, Hiding 9 Newborns
(AP) FRANKFURT AN DER ODER, Germany A prosecutor sought a life sentence for a German woman accused of killing nine of her newborn babies, saying Tuesday that she "killed regularly and routinely."
Sabine Hilschinz, 40, was arrested after the infants' remains were discovered last July buried in flower pots and a fish tank in the garden of her parents' home.
She was charged with eight counts of manslaughter spanning the period from 1992 to 1998; the death of the first child, in 1988, is covered by the statute of limitations.
Prosecutor Anette Bargenda argued that the court should convict Hilschinz of murder, not the lesser charge of manslaughter, and called for a life sentence. The maximum sentence for manslaughter is 15 years.
Hilschinz "killed regularly and routinely, and in serial fashion," Bargenda said.
Before the trial began in April, the court dropped murder charges, citing insufficient evidence Hilschinz intended to hide her alleged crime.
Bargenda contended that Hilschinz had covered up each pregnancy in order to kill the children unnoticed.
Defense lawyer Matthias Schoeneburg argued that it had not been established conclusively that seven of the babies were born alive.
He called for Hilschinz to be convicted on one count of manslaughter and sentenced to 3 1/2 years.
Hilschinz has declined to testify, but previously told investigators that she was drunk when she went into labor and could not remember the births.
A verdict was expected later in the week.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
www.kcal.com
sick bitch!