Lindsey Lowe, charged with two counts of first degree felony murder.HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -
A Hendersonville woman charged with smothering her newborn twin boys was found guilty of all counts against her, including two counts of first degree felony murder, two counts of premeditated murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse.
Lindsey Lowe and her defense team were unemotional as the verdicts were read in a Sumner County courtroom Tuesday afternoon. Her family sobbed in the seats behind her.
Before she left the courtroom, she turned to her family and mouthed the words, "I'm okay. I love you all." She also pointed to the sky and said, "He's with me."
The sixth and final day of the trial began with more than an hour of instructions from the judge to the jury, followed by several hours of closing arguments.
Closing arguments ended around 1 p.m. Deliberation began shortly after 2:15 p.m.
The jury, comprised of 12 members and three alternatives, returned to the courtroom with their decision two hours later.
Lowe, 26, has been in the custody of her parents since she was arrested and charged in September 2011.
By her own admission, Lowe smothered the infants shortly after giving birth to them on a toilet at her parent's Hendersonville home.
Prior to the births, she kept the pregnancy hidden from everyone, including her parents and the babies' father, who testified he had a brief sexual affair with Lowe who was engaged to another man at the time.
The trial began on March 12.
During five days of testimony, the jury heard from police officials and forensic and mental health experts. They were also shown photographs from the crime scene and the deceased infants.
Throughout the trial, defense attorneys tried to convince the jury that Lowe couldn't deal with the pregnancy because of an altered mental status.
"I talked to her about that and she said she coped with it by putting it out of her head like it wasn't happening," said Neuropsychologist Pamela Auble who testified on March 13.
Prosecutors rebutted the claims, citing activity on Lowe's cell phone in the days leading up to the births.
"She did a Google search for pregnant women and doctor porn," said District Attorney Ray Whitley in cross-examination on March 15.
Lowe's confession, taped less than 48 hours after she gave birth, was also played in the courtroom.
"I don't know. I want to call it smothering. I was just trying to keep them quiet," she said on the tape.
Perhaps the most damning evidence was the act itself.
"We contemplated second degree [murder], but we felt because it was two infants that was incapable of fighting for themselves, that was pretty brutal," said Juror Ted Jones.
"When a defendant is on trial, any defense that is possible is brought up. But I think we overcame it with facts and proof and evidence," Whitley said. "These little babies had no chance to speak for themselves so we had to speak for them."
When the trial ended, Lowe's bond was revoked, and she was immediately taken into custody.
The judge merged the first degree felony murder conviction and premeditated murder conviction into one conviction for each child. Each conviction carries a life sentence in a state penitentiary. Lowe must serve a minimum of 51 years before she will be eligible for parole.
A sentencing hearing for the child abuse convictions is scheduled for April 26 at 9 a.m. At that time, the judge will also decide if Lowe's two life sentences will run concurrently or consecutively.
Previous Stories:
- March 18, 2013: Lindsey Lowe says she can't emotionally handle testifying
- March 15, 2013: Lowe searched pregnancy calculator on iPhone days before giving birth
- March 14, 2013: Father of Lowe's twins says he didn't know she was pregnant
- March 13, 2013: Lindsey Lowe led from Gallatin courtroom sobbing
- March 12, 2013: Attorney: Lindsey Lowe refused to accept pregnancy
- March 10, 2013: Jury selection complete in Lindsey Lowe case
- March 7, 2013: Judge says phone records will be used in Lindsey Lowe trial
- March 5, 2013: Lowe lawyers strongly hint at defense
- Feb. 21, 20113: Lindsey Lowe takes witness stand for 1st time
- Feb. 12, 2013: Judge denies motion filed by alleged baby killer
- Jan. 22, 2013: Judge will not step down in Lindsey Lowe case
- Dec. 10, 2012: Lindsey Lowe's confession will stay, judge rules
- Nov. 29, 2012: Attorneys for Lindsey Lowe request change of venue
- Nov. 5, 2012: Judge will allow Lindsey Lowe's confession in trial
- May 17, 2012: Trial date set for mother charged with killing newborns
- Nov. 18, 2011: Woman charged with killing newborns enters not guilty plea
- Nov. 10, 2011: State won't seek death penalty against alleged baby killer
- Nov. 4, 2011: Mother of slain newborn twins avoids jail for now
- Oct. 25, 2011: Affair possible motive in murder of newborn twins
- Oct. 24, 2011: Mother charged with killing newborns faces hearing
- Sept. 27, 2011: Funeral held for newborn twins killed by mother
- Sept. 22, 2011: Dozens attend church vigil for mother of slain twins
- Sept. 21, 2011: Nancy Grace weighs in on Lindsey Lowe case
- Sept. 20, 2011: Mental state of woman accused of killing twins in question
- Sept. 19, 2011: Bond for woman charged with killing twins set at $250K
- Sept. 18, 2011: Preacher of woman accused of killing twins speaks out
- Sept. 16, 2011: Lawyer: Woman accused of killing twins shouldn't stay in jail
- Sept. 14, 2011: Police: Mom killed newborn twins, hid them in laundry basket
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