RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) — After a long deliberation a jury found decided the fate of the Richmond mother accused of killing her newborn baby girl and leaving her body in a dumpster.
ShaVaughn Robinson was found guilty of second-degree murder and the jury recommended seven years, according to the defense attorney.
ShaVaughn Robinson (PHOTO: Richmond Police)
The jury received their instructions from the judge and the defense and prosecution presented their closing arguments in ShaVaughn Robinson’s murder trial Thursday.
Much of the testimony Wednesday centered around Robinson’s mental stability as several psychologists described their encounters with the defendant after they evaluated her.
They assessed Robinson’s condition after she was arrested and charged with killing her newborn and putting the infant in a dumpster at her job.
The jury heard one psychiatrist explain how Robinson admitted to having multiple personalities who would control her at various times.
A defense witness, Dr. Diana Barnes who flew in from Los Angeles, explained she diagnosed Robinson with post-traumatic stress disorder, likely associated with teen sexual abuse that Robinson suffered.
Dr. Barnes told the jury Robinson also suffered from pregnancy denial.
In court jury members learned that during Robinson's first pregnancy with her son she did not know she was having a baby until 27 weeks into the pregnancy.
As Robinson looked on, stoic and at times with a glazed sleepy look, another psychiatrist who works at Richmond city Jail explained that Robinson told her she was in jail because she had a baby.
When the doctor asked how that would land her in jail, she said Robinson explained that she threw her baby girl in a dumpster and laughed as she told the story.
The doctor told the jury, "It was a bit of a chilling moment for me."
Stay with CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for updates on this developing story.
