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Mom's COVID Psychosis Defense in Drowning Trial
23 Jun
Summary
- Woman accused of drowning her 15-month-old daughter.
- Defense claims temporary insanity due to COVID-linked psychosis.
- Bench trial is currently underway, decided by a judge.
A bench trial commenced recently for a South Florida woman accused of drowning her 15-month-old daughter in 2021. The defense is presenting a temporary insanity plea, alleging the mother experienced a psychotic episode linked to COVID-19.
Opening statements included body camera footage of the accused, Precious Bland, showing her in a distressed state following the discovery of her daughter. Her attorney argued that hallucinations and a severe mental health crisis, exacerbated by COVID-19, were the cause.
Prosecutors maintain that despite potential mental health issues, Bland understood her actions, citing her statements about the child needing to stop breathing. The state is challenging the defense's link between COVID-19 and the death, asserting it is not the primary issue.
Bland's husband testified to her unusual behavior on the day of the incident. The defense is seeking a temporary insanity verdict rather than institutionalization, as experts deemed such extensive treatment unnecessary. The trial is expected to continue for several more days.
