A 34-year-old woman named Carol Ann Coronado of Carson, California is serving three consecutive life prison terms for killing her daughters back in May of 2014. Her three daughters were Sophia, 2, Yazmine, 16 months and Xenia, 3 months.
Their mother stabbed their jugular veins and they all died shortly after.
Coronado waived her right to a jury trial and Compton Superior Court Judge Ricardo Ocampo found Coronado guilty of first-degree murder in 2015.
In February, a ruling that affirmed her conviction, a three-justice panel from the state’s 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected the defense’s contention that there was insufficient evidence of premeditation and deliberation. The justices argued that it was premeditated and there were even bloody crosses found on each child’s chest. Ocampo also determined that she was sane at the time of the killings.
Coronado’s lawyer, Stephen Allen, argued that she was suffering from postpartum depression and psychosis. Allen claims that his client has no memory of what happened.
Coronado’s husband, Rodolfo, joined his wife’s attorney and pleaded for his wife to be sent to a mental hospital instead of state prison. Rodolfo claims that his wife was “out of her mind when it happened.” Her husband also testified during the trial and stated that his wife was acting out of character prior to the day of the killings and he “definitely knew something was wrong.”
During the same sentencing hearing, the judge went on to say that she definitely “needs treatment, but the treatment will have to be in state prison.”
Have you been charged with a crime? We will help you fight back! Call Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP now at (310) 361-3068 for a FREE Consultation.
Our Criminal Defense and DUI law firm delivers powerful, compassionate defense backed by 40+ years of getting acquittals, dismissals, and reductions in charges for our clients.
Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP is one of the most experienced and highly reputable criminal defense law firms in Southern California. We vigorously defend our clients and put our vast experience and powerful credentials to work.