Woman, 98, Accused of Strangling Roommate, 100

[arnisador]

Mass. Woman, 98, Accused of Killing Roommate, 100 (http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/11/us/AP-US-Centenarian-Slaying.html)



A 98-year-old woman was indicted Friday on a second-degree murder charge that alleges she strangled her 100-year-old nursing home roommate after making the victim's life ''a living hell'' because she thought the woman was ''taking over the room.''

I'm just saying...you can never be sure you're safe.

[Fan the Madman]

Give her life in confinement! (oh wait... nevermind).

I read something about this.. and the consensus is that she will never serve a day.. since she's not a flight risk, will make bail, is already in long-term care, mental competence will be raised.. and that tends to drag out capital cases for years.

She will probably get involuntarily committed and stay in a slightly more secure nursing home. Might even get her own room.

Shame about the other lady though..

[arnisador]

My guess was about the same--once they raise the issue of metal competence, what prosecutor is going to spend months fighting it? Little will change for her, I'd wager. If she truly is incompetent, that may be fair--but then her caretakers may well be partially liable.