Brooke Skylar Richardsonhad remained silent throughout her murder trial.
Other than that, she sat stoically in court for the 10-day trial.
But everything changed on Thursday, when she wasfound not guiltyof of aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment. She was found guilty of only one charge: gross abuse of a corpse. As the verdict was read, Richardson wept.
During sentencing on Friday, she spoke out for the first time in two years — and apologized for her actions.
“I would do anything that you ask,” she told the judge. “I can sometimes be selfish, but I’m getting better. I’m forever sorry. I’m so sorry. I’ve hurt a lot of people. I am really, really sorry. And I understand.”
Richardson had pleaded not guilty.
In the end, the jury found her not guilty of the most serious charges, a decision that her attorneys later told reporters was “appropriate.”
Greg Lynch/The Journal-News via AP
Nick Graham/The Journal-News via AP
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During her sentencing hearing, Richardson listened intently. She nodded as Judge Donald Oda II discussed the logistics of the penalty phase.
When Oda reprimanded Richardson for her actions, she looked down at her hands.
In the end, Judge Oda ordered that Richardson serve three years of probation. She was was sentenced to seven days in jail, with credit for the seven days she already served. If she violates her probation, she can spend up to a year in jail.
source: people.com
