A Brockton mother previously convicted of the murder of her two young children in 2018 will be granted a new trial.
Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court ruled that because the Plymouth County Jury that convicted Latarsha Sanders did not receive her full psychiatric history, the Brockton woman was not given a fair trial.
“For the reasons that follow, we hold that the exclusion of the defendant’s relevant medical records relating to the diagnoses or treatment of mental illness constituted prejudicial error, and as a result, the defendant is entitled to a new trial,” the decision reads.
Sanders killed her sons Marlon, 8, and La’son, 5, in 2018.
Sanders’ attorney mounted an insanity defense during the trial, claiming Sanders was mentally ill and having a psychotic breakdown.
The trial’s judge did not allow evidence of Sanders’ mental health into the trial, prompting the appeal to the state’s highest court.
According to a police report, at the time of the murders, Sanders talked about voodoo and various conspiracy theories.
In prison interviews, Sanders allegedly said evil was in her.
In her SJC appeal, Sanders’ lawyer said a prosecutor at trial was wrong in closing arguments to characterize Sanders as evil. But the government said the trial prosecutor only used Sanders’ own words.
She was serving two Life No Parole sentences.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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