Justice was served for a pregnant mother but not for her unborn baby who was cut out of her womb after a Colorado jury found their attacker, Dynel Catrece Lane, guilty of attempted murder and other charges Tuesday.
However, Lane was not charged in the death of Wilkins’ unborn baby girl, Aurora. Though the unborn baby was 7-months along and likely would have survived outside of the womb, prosecutors were not able to bring charges for her death because Colorado state law does not regard unborn children as human beings who deserve justice when they are killed. In May 2015, Colorado Democrats killed a bill that would add the state to the list of more than 25 states that provide justice and protection for pregnant women and unborn children. They rejected a similar measure in 2013.
A report shows Wilkins’ baby breathed a heavy last gasp before she died. However, after the incident, a spokeswoman from the Boulder Country District Attorney’s Office said Lane wouldn’t face murder charges for the baby’s death. Instead, prosecutors charged her with unlawful termination of a pregnancy.
During the trial last Thursday, Judge Maria Berkenkotter blocked testimony about the cause and manner of baby Aurora’s death, according to the Associated Press. Lane’s attorneys argued that the baby was not legally a victim and the details of her death were not relevant to the trial, the report states.
The jury deliberated for about six hours Monday and then reached a verdict Tuesday at about 10 a.m., according to the report. Lane was found guilty on all counts. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 29, the report states.
Lane pleaded not guilty to the attack. Fox 31 Denver reports Lane did not show any emotions as the judge read the verdict. According to the report, Lane could face up to 140 years in prison.
In 2015, Lane lured Wilkins, 26, to her home after posting an ad on Craigslist about baby clothes, LifeNews previously reported. After talking with Wilkins, Lane beat and stabbed her before cutting her unborn baby girl from her abdomen. Left alone in the basement of the home, Wilkins was eventually able to call police, was rescued and rushed to the hospital for immediate surgery. She was in critical condition for days.
Authorities said Lane was obsessed with pregnancy and had been faking a pregnancy of her own for almost a year. After attacking Wilkins, Lane allegedly told her partner that she had a miscarriage and the baby girl was hers, according to authorities.
Last Wednesday, jurors listened to a tearful Wilkins as she explained the horrific details of the attack.
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