Mom accused of killing newborn cries while video plays in court

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - During day two of the trial for the Richmond mother accused of killing her newborn baby girl and leaving her body in a dumpster, the court heard from Shavaugn Robinson for the first time.

The prosecution played a video of Robinson being interviewed by police the day after the baby's body was found in May 2013.

In the video, Robinson told investigators she did not know she was pregnant and a pregnancy test she took came back negative. She admitted during the interview to having the baby in the bathroom of the Lee Medical Building where she worked.

Robinson said she "panicked" because her fiance was picking her up from work and she did not know if he was the father of the child. The couple had split for "some time" eight months prior, Robinson said.

During Tuesday's court proceedings, the 27-year-old mother could be seen wiping away tears while watching the video of the interview.

Emergency personnel and C.S.I. officers also testified Tuesday morning.

Each saw the baby while she was in the dumpster and said the child's color was "poor" and grey.  By the time emergency responders arrived, they said there was "nothing they could do."

The defense, in its opening statements, said they will show Shavaughn Robinson didn’t know what she was doing that evening, that she was having mental problems – including pregnancy denial – and had previously suffered hallucinations.

The trial is scheduled to continue Wednesday.