Judge Sentences Woman Who Cut Baby From Womb To 100 Years
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - The woman convicted of attempted murder after cutting a 7-month-old fetus from the womb of a pregnant woman was sentenced to a total of 100 years in prison on Friday.
Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett had wanted the maximum sentence of 188 years for Dynel Lane after a jury convicted her in February of attempting to kill Michelle Wilkins in 2015.
Lane was also convicted of four felony assault charges and one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy, also a felony.
Lane had lured Wilkins with a Craigslist ad for maternity clothes in Longmont.
Because of state law, prosecutors said they could not charge Lane, 36, with murder in the unborn baby's death.
Wilkins asked permission from the judge to address her attacker directly in the Boulder County Courtroom. The judge granted her request but said Wilkins must look at her while making those statements.
"I chose to use my time to address you directly, Dynel, because up to this very moment you refused to acknowledge us, the victims of your violent actions. I am a compassionate person, this is the foundation of the beliefs from which all others grow. It is clear that you need healing and my sincere belief that you get it," said Wilkins.
Wilkins made her statements at the front of the court while a large picture of her daughter, Aurora, graced the courtroom beside her. Aurora did not survive the attack.
"You embraced your narcissistic fantasy that fulfilled the lie you created and it was more important than my right to live and Aurora's right to live," Wilkins said.
She said she saw the sentencing as a way for Aurora to have her day in court.
"Your inability to acknowledge the immense cruelty and evil you committed only proves you are not fit to walk free amongst us ever again," Wilkins said.
Boulder County Judge Maria Berkenkotter sentenced Lane to 100 years in prison and listed all of the impacts Lane's crimes will continue to have.
"They will never get to see her learn to crawl or walk or talk or sing or perhaps even hurl herself on the floor of the grocery story and that is because Ms. Lane took that from them," said Berkenkotter.
Defense attorneys for Lane indicated on Friday they intend to appeal and that is part of why Lane has never spoken in court on the advice of her attorneys.
After the sentencing, Garnett said Lane's right to appeal should not keep her from being human and apologizing.
The defense has 42 days to file an appeal.