what does brooke skylar's lawyer have to say

by Yasmin Ullrich 9 min read

LEBANON, Ohio – Attorneys for Brooke Skylar Richardson, who is accused of killing and burying her baby in the backyard of her home, have filed a motion requesting that the jurors be allowed to view her home. They write that “all the material facts in the case” occurred at her Carlisle home and the jury should be permitted to view that residence.

Full Answer

What did Brooke Skylar Richardson say in court?

LEBANON, Ohio - Brooke Skylar Richardson, who was acquitted last year of most charges in the death of her newborn child, told a judge Tuesday that she wants to “be a normal person again.” “That’s all,” the 21-year-old said during a hearing in Warren County Common Pleas Court.

Did Skylar just tell the police what the police want to hear?

But defense attorney Charlie M. Rittgers says Skylar just told the police what they wanted to hear. Charlie M. Rittgers : We know that the police were able to break her down and made her vulnerable and admit to something that is scientifically impossible. … Burning of a baby. This doctor many weeks later said, "I was wrong." …

Could Skylar be sentenced to life in prison?

Scott Richardson: Absolutely not. Now 20 years old, Brooke, known as Skylar, is accused of killing her newborn daughter. If convicted, she could spend the rest of her life in prison.

Was Skylar obsessed with her appearance?

PROSECUTOR DAVID FORNSHELL: Skylar and her family … were pretty obsessed with external appearances. REPORTER: You're describing a spoiled, self-entitled teenager who was more worried about vanity than keeping the life of a baby alive.

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Who are Skylar's parents?

For more than a year, Skylar's parents, Kim and Scott Richardson, gave "48 Hours" unique access to their story. But on the advice of their lawyers, Skylar couldn't talk to us.

What did Kim Richardson mean by Skylar?

and then come back down to the ground. But it also meant she had to be easy to lift and catch. Kim says it was the beginning of Skylar's battle with her weight.

What was Skylar Richardson's ankle bracelet?

Skylar was fitted with an ankle bracelet and placed under house arrest. She spent much of her time reading books and hanging out with her dogs. Skylar Richardson CBS News. In the backyard, under a pine tree, her parents placed an angel ornament to mark the spot where Skylar once buried the baby she called Annabelle.

How much was Skylar Richardson's bond?

Skylar Richardson spent the weekend in jail, until her family could come up with the $50,000 bond. It was a surreal experience for her parents.

When did Skylar Richardson go to prom?

Nine days later, on May 5, Skylar and Brandon went to the prom. Despite being late into her pregnancy, she fit into her gown. At left, Skylar Richardson is pictured in her prom dress in February 2017 and, at right, in May 2017. Kim Richardson.

Did Kim Richardson say we were crucified?

Kim Richardson: Yes. Very. … Every move we make, everything we do, we're judged, we're followed, stalked … We were crucified. And that's putting it mildly.

Who said they would take turns sitting out in front of our house?

Kim Richardson: They would take turns sitting out in front of our house, and they would set up a schedule to watch our comings and goings. … I would see pictures of myself out on my back deck.

Who is Brooke Skylar Richardson?

Sneak peek: The Case Against Brooke Skylar Ri... 03:00. Brooke Skylar Richardson, the former high school cheerleader who once faced the potential of life in prison, is home with her family and planning to go to college. Last fall, the now-21-year-old Ohio woman was acquitted of charges ...

Who is Skylar's mother?

"It was a Sunday morning and she woke up – and I can still see her sitting on the couch," says Kim Richardson, Skylar's mother.

Where is Skylar Richardson going to college?

Skylar Richardson still struggles with an eating disorder and is receiving treatment, but is planning on attending college in Kentucky this fall.

Who is the lawyer for Richardson?

In July 2019, the prosecutors approached Richardson's lawyers, Charles H. Rittgers and his son, Charles M. Rittgers, with an offer of a plea deal that would have dropped the aggravated murder charge but would have still sent Richardson to prison.

A SECRET REVEALED

On July 14, 2017, when Scott Richardson drove his daughter Skylar to the Carlisle Police station, he had no idea that she had been keeping a secret.

DEFENDING SKYLAR

Skylar Richardson spent the weekend in jail, until her family could come up with the $50,000 bond. It was a surreal experience for her parents.

HIGH-STAKES TRIAL

For more than two years, Skylar Richardson and her family have been bracing for her trial.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorder Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.

Who is Skylar's mother?

He said a child would not have been an acceptable outcome for the family. Kim Richardson, Skylar's mother, has been subpoenaed and will likely testify.

How long after birth did police search Richardson's home?

It had been two months after birth before police searched the backyard of Richardson's home. She was in tremendous pain, Richardson told police, and couldn’t dig a deep grave.

Why did the Richardson family kill her baby?

Prosecutors in this affluent southwestern Ohio county said Richardson's family was obsessed with external appearances and wouldn't accept her pregnancy. They said she deliberately killed her baby so no one would ever find out she was pregnant.

What did the mother of Richardson's daughter tell her about her life?

But she also told her daughter "people get pregnant every day" and she would have supported her.

Did Richardson ask her parents if they loved her?

Richardson asked her parents if they loved her. They told her they did. A few minutes later, she would ask again.

Has the Enquirer had journalists in the courtroom?

The Enquirer has had multiple journalists in the courtroom all week. If you haven't been paying attention, or even if you have, here's what you missed in the trial's first week – and what to expect as it continues.

Did the police report say that the baby was lit on fire?

In a police report detailed in court, a detective wrote Richardson lit her baby’s foot on fire with a lighter . The flames reached the baby’s chest before Richardson put them out. This is what Richardson told police in her second interview.

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A Secret Revealed

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On July 14, 2017, when Scott Richardson drove his daughter Skylar to the Carlisle Police station, he had no idea that she had been keeping a secret. Erin Moriarty: As she's going in to talk to the police, do you know what it's about — Scott Richardson: No, have no idea. Lt. John Faine, who at the time was with the Warren County She…
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Defending Skylar

  • Skylar Richardson spent the weekend in jail, until her family could come up with the $50,000 bond. It was a surreal experience for her parents. Kim Richardson: It was her physically, but when you looked at her face, she had checked out. Skylar emerged into a tabloid firestorm. Following the prosecutor's sensational press conference, the court imposed a gag order. But the damage had …
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High-Stakes Trial

  • For more than two years, Skylar Richardson and her family have been bracing for her trial. Kim Richardson: I wake up in the morning. Thank God each day it's another day I at least get to see her and touch her. The stress and uncertainty have taken a toll. Skylar, still battling an eating disorder, is virtually wasting away. Erin Moriarty: How's Sky...
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Skylar's Fate Decided

  • On September 12, 2019, Skylar waits for the jury of seven women and five men to decide her future. Scott Richardson: And that's the scariest thing. Would the jury believe Skylar confessed to a murder or would they think she had been pushed into making false statements? Erin Moriarty:What is the biggest fear right now? Scott Richardson: That we can't prove that she's inn…
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For More Information

  • If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorder Association Helplineat 1-800-931-2237.
See more on cbsnews.com