INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday heard an appeal from a Gas City woman who was sentenced to life in prison for killing her 10-year-old stepdaughter.
Amanda Carmack appeared in court challenging whether "sufficient evidence proved beyond a reasonable doubt that she did not act in 'sudden heat'" when she killed Skylea Carmack.
A judge previously ordered Amanda Carmack to serve life in prison without parole for of the10-year-old girl, whose body was discovered in September 2019. She had last been seen days earlier.
Amanda Carmack was found guilty of murder, strangulation, neglect of a dependent resulting in death and domestic battery resulting in death to a person under 14.
In 2020, a mistrial was declared after an outbreak of COVID-19 cases. The trial began Oct. 19 of that year and was delayed for one week on Oct. 27 when individuals associated with the trial were found to be COVID-19 positive.
The Grant County Coroner said Skylea died of strangulation and had been dead four days when state police found her body.
According to court documents, when questioned by detectives about whether she had done anything to the child, Amanda Carmack said, "I don't remember," or "it doesn't matter." But she eventually admitted to killing Skylea, by choking the girl and then tying "something" around her neck.
Carmack said she did it because she was angry and claimed "mental disease" as her defense. But a mental evaluation found the woman was competent to stand trial.
According to court documents, Carmack eventually admitted to killing Skylea, by choking the girl and then tying "something" around her neck.
Thursday's full hearing can be viewed here.
-
White House condemns Nazi march that took place in Columbus, Ohio
The White House on Monday condemned a Nazi march that took place in Columbus, Ohio over the weekend. Police say people wearing black carried flags with swastikas on them through the city on Saturday.
Indy Parks sees increase in basketball court use following Pacers upgrade
The Pacers and Indy Parks have teamed up to renovate basketball courts around Indianapolis. The newest court is being unveiled on the city's east side.
Shooting on Indy’s east side leaves 1 dead
A person died in a shooting on the east side of Indianapolis, near E. Washington St., on Monday evening.
Police search for driver in deadly hit-and-run on Indy's west side
An Indianapolis family is seeking justice after a 66-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run on the west side of the city over the weekend.
