Barbie
09-10-2003, 02:23 PM
RIVERSIDE, California (AP) -- A woman whose baby overdosed on methamphetamine contained in the mother's breast milk was convicted of murder. (http://edition.cnn.com/2003/LAW/09/09/baby.meth.death.ap/index.html)
During the three-week trial of Amy Leanne Prien, 31, witnesses testified about her unquenchable appetite for methamphetamine, a highly addictive and illegal stimulant. Witnesses also said Prien's home was a den for drug users and dealers.
Her 3-month-old son, Jacob Wesley Smith, was found dead in the home January 19, 2002.
The Riverside County coroner originally labeled the cause of death sudden infant death syndrome; however, a toxicology report later showed the boy had overdosed on methamphetamine.
Defense lawyer Stephen Yagman said he would appeal, adding there was no evidence that the baby ingested the drug through the breast milk.
District Attorney Grover Trask said his office decided to aggressively prosecute Prien as a deterrent to other drug users.
Prien, who has three other children, was found guilty Monday of second-degree murder and four counts of child endangerment. She also was convicted of four counts of misdemeanor drug possession.
She could get up to life in prison when sentenced next month.
During the three-week trial of Amy Leanne Prien, 31, witnesses testified about her unquenchable appetite for methamphetamine, a highly addictive and illegal stimulant. Witnesses also said Prien's home was a den for drug users and dealers.
Her 3-month-old son, Jacob Wesley Smith, was found dead in the home January 19, 2002.
The Riverside County coroner originally labeled the cause of death sudden infant death syndrome; however, a toxicology report later showed the boy had overdosed on methamphetamine.
Defense lawyer Stephen Yagman said he would appeal, adding there was no evidence that the baby ingested the drug through the breast milk.
District Attorney Grover Trask said his office decided to aggressively prosecute Prien as a deterrent to other drug users.
Prien, who has three other children, was found guilty Monday of second-degree murder and four counts of child endangerment. She also was convicted of four counts of misdemeanor drug possession.
She could get up to life in prison when sentenced next month.