For some reason I thought Florida prosecutors would indict Amanda Brumfield on manslaughter and some child abuse charges, but I didn't think they would ever get an indictment for first degree murder. I guess I was wrong on that one. Today, Billy Bob's daughter was indicted on several charges – including first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter.
She was also denied bond. If you will recall, Amanda was babysitting a girl back in October when the girl fell and hit her head. Amanda called for help about two hours after the incident. I'm guessing that is why the charge of first degree murder. I also think the prosecutors included the manslaughter charge because they want to give a jury an alternative to the murder charge.
My guess is that she won't be convicted of murder. I think this is a all going to depend on who the jury believes. Will they believe her story of what happened. She is going to have to get on the stand and testify and if she is believable than the jury might not even convict of her aggravated manslaughter. My guess is that this will end up in some involuntary manslaughter plea and she will serve about two years in jail.
So far all we are hearing is the prosecutor version of events and how they are inconsistent with Amanda's story. The thing is I haven't heard her story yet other than it was similar to Natasha Richardson and the skiing accident and that she didn't know anything was wrong until it was too late. If that is true, then I don't know how you could convict her of murder. It is still all incredibly sad. I wonder how many times a year this happens, but we only hear about it because it is the daughter of a famous actor who is involved.
Doesn't 1st degree murder show premeditation? I don't see how a girl falling and hitting her head is premeditation. I get the manslaughter (failure to respond to child in need), but I don't see murder at all.
ReplyDeleteI covered a lot of stories like this back in my reporting days (and people wonder why I had high blood pressure!) and unless there's some hidden evidence that we don't know about, there's no way a first-degree murder charge will hold up. It might be a situation like we have where I live, where the prosecutors' office overcharges on the serious cases to give bargaining room for lesser charges. Second-degree murder? Maybe. But not first-degree. To me it looks more like negligent homicide.
ReplyDeleteOoh, she's purrrrty.
ReplyDeleteI cracked on her mug shot but really I don't mean to be insensitive to the people whose poor child died in this woman's care--intentional or not.
ReplyDeleteWhat a moron. THAT apple didn't fall far, huh?
Wasn't BBT said to have been quite abusive in his previous marriages?
Fla. law is a little blurry on the line drawn between first and second degree murder charges (other than that second degree murder = not premeditated).
ReplyDeleteBut the DA can go for a capital felony here because first degree covers not only premeditation, but also engagement in or perpetration of aggravated abuse of children, the elderly, or disabled adults. Maybe there's additional evidence supporting the child abuse aspect -- a nanny-cam tape or some other injuries to the little girl.
That poor little girl - I can only imagine how she suffered for hours before dying - her parents must think about it, too :(
ReplyDeletefirst degree murder? that's a bit much.
ReplyDeleteisn't casey anthony up for first degree too? and didn't they drop child neglect charges for casey? the differences in these cases are substainal---yet bbt daughter could have possibly more convictions? that's ridiculous.
she'll get convicted of manslaughter at the very least, i think.
ReplyDeletethis baby fell out of a playpen? i don't think so. that's ludicrous. she had a fractured skull and bleeding in her brain.
the story this chick told made no sense and is simply not believable and i figured she would be charged as well she should be.
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ReplyDeleteI agree w/ you RocketQueen. :( That poor baby girl..just brings tears to my eyes.. and her poor mother to trust that woman w/ her child.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't agree to 1st degree murder but def negligent homicide. When my 2 year old fell off a park bench on to his head, the FIRST place I went to was the emergency room. Any large fall with a little needs to be attended to by a professional. Always. :( There are symptoms that a lay person or even a mommy/daddy may not identify that a Dr. or EMT can spot right away.
oh, the part that tells me she's lying through her teeth is that after this really bad fall, she says she just fell asleep.
ReplyDeletewho the fuck falls asleep after something like that? if i'm babysitting for someone's baby, and there's an incident like this, i'm freaking out and calling 911 JUST IN CASE. that's what normal people do....but i'm sure her defense attorney will give us the old chestnut 'everyone reacts differently in a crisis.'
uh....no, they really don't.
Thanks Katie for the legal info. We'll have to wait and see how strong a case the DA has.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I want to feel sorry for the child I just find myself feeling super sorry for that gal growing up with that douche Billy Bob for a so-called dad.
ReplyDeleteBetting the injuries were NOT the result of a fall, and that med exams show this. Most, if not all, states have a felony murder-type rule where if someone dies during the commission of a crime (in this case, the abuse), then it's automatic first degree. Intent or premeditation is not an issue.
ReplyDeleteDenied bond? Eesh. Judge thought she was dangerous.