Life sentence for obese US woman who smothered girl to death
Dericka Lindsay, 9, was crushed to death by Veronica Green Posey, 66. Supplied
An obese Florida woman has been sentenced to life in prison for killing her nine-year-old cousin by sitting on her as a form of punishment.
The Pensacola News Journal reports that 66-year-old Veronica Green Posey was sentenced after jurors convicted her of first-degree felony murder.
Prosecutors say Dericka Lindsay had suffered horrific beatings from Posey, and Lindsay’s adoptive parents, James and Grace Smith.
Officials say Posey sat on Dericka for more than five minutes in October 2017, causing the girl to die from lack of oxygen.
At Friday’s sentencing hearing, Posey’s lawyer said the 145-kilogram woman was trying to help the Smiths and didn’t intend to hurt Dericka.
James Smith was previously sentenced to 10 years for his role in Dericka’s death.
Grace Smith still faces charges but is currently mentally and physically unfit to stand trial.
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