ATHENS, Ala. (AP) - A judge has sentenced an Alabama woman to life imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to murder in the killing of her 4-year-old daughter.
Stephanie Diane Smith, 29, pleaded guilty Monday in the death of Zadie Wren Cooper four years ago, records show.
The Athens News-Courier reported Smith was charged with capital murder after admitting to Athens police that she used a pillow to smother the girl. She pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of felony murder, and Circuit Judge C. Chadwick Wise imposed a life term that includes the possibility of parole.
The woman has been in jail since her arrest in 2017. Smith told authorities she had a mental condition and had been off her medication before the killing.
Smith was set for trial this year before the coronavirus pandemic forced courts to halt jury trials.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.