News

Supreme Court reverses conviction in baby stabbing

Photo: Vladimir Cetinski, Photos.com

May 24, 2012 at 6:42 am

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of an Oakdale woman accused of stabbing her baby to death.

Wednesday's decision means Nicole Beecroft is eligible for a new trial.

The 21-year-old was convicted of premeditated first-degree murder in the 2007 death of her newborn daughter and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Authorities said she stabbed the girl 135 times. Beecroft claimed the baby was stillborn.

The Supreme Court found that some officials _ including the chief medical examiner in St. Louis County, discouraged experts from testifying on Beecroft's behalf.

The court's opinion says that because of some officials acted improperly, a reversal was warranted ''in the interests of justice.''

Washington County Attorney Pete Orput says his office is planning to retry the case.