Joyce Hardin Garrard Seeks to Have Capital Murder Charge Against Her Dismissed

joyce-garrard-trialJoyce Hardin Garrard is requesting that an appeals court dismiss the capital murder charge against her – citing supposed problems with an autopsy and legal delays.

Lawyers for Garrard have filed papers with the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, stating that they have found numerous problems with the state’s autopsy of Garrard’s nine year old granddaughter, Savannah Hardin, back in 2012.

The 49 year old grandmother was charged with Capital Murder after she forced the child to run non-stop for some three hours as punishment for telling a lie.

The child finally collapsed and was taken to Riverview Regional Medical Center, where she died three days later. The defense contends that Savannah died of long-standing health problems.

Garrard has pled not guilty, and has a trial date of February 12th (2015) – if convicted, she could face the death penalty.

Prosecutors have yet to respond to that defense document and the state has until later this month to file an answer.

Garrard remains in the Etowah County Detention Center.

Savannah’s step-mother was charged with murder in the case, for failing to step in and stop the punishment; she is currently free on bond.

(al.com/www.al.com)

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