Crime & Safety
Beecroft's Attorney Requests Court Dismiss Murder Indictment
Nicole Beecroft's attorneys are arguing that the murder indictment falls under cruel and unusual punishment.
New developments are underway in the Nicole Beecroft murder trial.
Beecroft, who was found guilty in 2007 of stabbing her infant daughter to death, has asked the district court to dismiss her indictment in light of the nation's high court ruling that "life sentences for juvenile murderers go against the constitutional prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment," the Pioneer Press is reporting.
Beecroft was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder for killing her daughter in her Oakdale home. Though she was a juvenile, she was tried as an adult.
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Beecroft's attorney filed the motion in October, stating that the indictment violates the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, according to the Pioneer Press.
The Eighth Amendments prohibits "cruel and unusual punishments."
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In response, the prosecution said that the Eighth Amendment does not apply since it is regarding punishment instead of criminal charges, the Pioneer Press reports.
A new hearing regarding the motion has been scheduled for Jan. 11.
Related:
- Oakdale Woman Will Receive New Judge in Baby Murder Retrial
- Oakdale Woman Wants Another Judge in New Baby Murder Trial
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