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.
-
First American Nuclear “closed-fuel cycle” Nuclear Energy Park in the U.S.
First American Nuclear, a company that specializes in nuclear energy, announced plans to establish its headquarters in Indiana on Tuesday, projecting to bring thousands of jobs to the Hoosier State.
Washington Township passes continuing referendum for Avon Schools
The special election will determine whether Avon Schools can continue a property tax to support teacher pay and class sizes at a slightly lower rate than before
Madison County Sheriff's Department confirms deadly plane crash
The Madison County Sheriff's Department confirmed they are on the scene of an accident involving an aircraft on Tuesday afternoon.
A Colts and Falcons super fan is heading to Germany to cheer on both teams
A football fan who cheers for both the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons? That’s not something you hear every day — especially when the two teams are set to face off in Berlin on Sunday.
