PITTSBURGH,None — A Wilkinsburg woman who was found guilty but mentally ill in January for cutting a baby from the womb of a pregnant teenager, killing her, has been sentenced to life plus 20 years in prison.
Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey Manning convicted Andrea Curry-Demus, 40, of second-degree murder and kidnapping in the July 2008 death of Kia Johnson, 18.
Curry-Demus will serve her time at the Muncy State Prison, where she will receive special treatment.
Her attorney said she's on medication now that she wasn't at the time of the murder. The attorney, who said he'll appeal the ruling, said Curry-Demus is remorseful for the killing.
Manning asked Curry-Demus if there was anything she wanted to say. She quickly turned around and said, "I want to say sorry to the family." She turned back around again and said, "I'm sorry."
That's when Manning looked at Curry-Demus and said, "I'm not sure you understand what you're saying. I think it would be a huge injustice if you were ever released into society."
VIDEO: Woman Guilty In Fetus Theft Case VIDEO: Suspect's Sister Gives Testimony
Channel 11 News spoke with Johnson's mother, Darlene Lee, after the sentencing on Monday. She said she finally found a bit of closure and the sentence is just what she wished for.
"I know my daughter's soul will be able to rest now. Knowing she will be punished for this heinous, senseless crime," Lee said. "I don't want her to have the death penalty. I want her to suffer, I really do. I want her to suffer and think about what she did to my daughter and see my daughter's face every day that she wakes up. I don't want her to die. It's too easy."
Prosecutor Mark Tranquilli said Johnson was a good kid who didn't have a dangerous lifestyle and this case is a prime example of, "Be careful who your friends are."
"There must be few crimes as indescribably brutal and viscous -- to entice and entrap a pregnant teenager, to paralyze her with a drug, to slice an infant from her womb while she writhed in agony. Then to methodically mummify her head in plastic and Duct tape, depriving her of breath, life and the opportunity to be a mother so that the defendant could proclaim her own maternity," Manning said earlier this year.
"She should be put to death for what she did to my niece," said the victim's uncle, Darnell Stuvaints.
Prosecutors contended Curry-Demus lured Johnson to her Wilkinsburg home, bound her, removed the baby and tried to pass it off as her own. The baby survived and is living with Johnson's relatives.
A defense psychiatrist testified that Curry-Demus had a break with reality, rendering her not legally responsible for Johnson's death.
However, another doctor testified that wasn't the case. The doctor said nothing indicates Curry-Demus had a break with reality when she killed Johnson.
The doctor said Curry-Demus lies when it is beneficial to her. He said she has an anti-social personality, which means she believes she is above the law.
Previous Stories: January 25, 2010: Wilkinsburg Woman Found Guilty, Mentally Ill In Fetus Snatching Case January 15, 2010: Closing Arguments Expected Soon In Womb Slash, Fetus Theft Case January 12, 2010: Accused Baby Snatcher Gives Many Different Stories In Court December 18, 2009: Woman Accused Of Stealing Fetus Pursues Insanity Defense July 15, 2009: Baby Cut From Womb Turns 1; A Grandfather Grieves January 12, 2009: Wilkinsburg Woman In Womb Slashing Case Sent To Hospital August 22, 2008: Wilkinsburg Woman To Stand Trial In Baby Snatching, Death August 8, 2008: Baby Of Slain McKeesport Woman To Stay In Foster Care July 24, 2008: Wilkinsburg Woman, Accused Of Cutting Baby From Woman's Womb, Ruled Competent July 24, 2008: Vigil Held In Wilkinsburg For Slain Pregnant Teenager July 22, 2008: 'Unfathomable' End For Victim Of Womb-Slash Slaying July 21, 2008: Suspect In Wilkinsburg Murder Faces New Charges
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