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.
-
Roof destroyed by falling tree due to Hurricane Helene's remnants
A tree toppled onto Bruce Gootee's home near the intersection of East 25th Street and Webster Avenue on Sept. 27. The roof remains damaged two weeks later.
Interpreters help spanish speaking patients at IU Health
The program is available to patients who request an interpreter for medical appointments. Interpreters like Liz Cortes Perez have a deep passion for their work.
City of Beech Grove to change its name while Taylor Swift is in town
The city will be called Beech Grove (Taylor's Version) from November 1-3. Main Street will host Taylor-themed events throughout the whole weekend.
Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana now serving people in recovery from addiction
The NO Limits Recovery Program was created in honor of Nathan Otolski. He used to work for Meals on Wheels but passed away from a drug overdose in 2022.
