A Virginia mother is facing a murder charge after the death of her 6 year old daughter, and her attorney says drugs and psychosis affected what she told police.
According to court documents reported by the Roanoke Times and CBS affiliate WDBJ, Darla, 27, is accused of fatally shooting her daughter with a shotgun at their home in Hot Springs, Virginia, on Feb. 4. Her 3 year old son was found unharmed and placed with relatives. Darla was reportedly taken to a psychiatric hospital after her arrest.
In a motion to suppress her statements to police, Darla’s attorney, Tony Anserson, wrote that she told investigators she believed her children were in danger from aliens and thought she was protecting her daughter by sending her to heaven. Anserson argues that drug use and psychosis left her unable to understand her rights when she spoke with officers, and he asked the court to throw out the statement.
The same filing asks for the trial to be moved to a different location, citing the impact the case has had on the community. Darla has been charged with first degree murder, and the trial was reported to be set to begin Aug. 23.
She is presumed innocent, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
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