KENNEWICK, Wash., July 3 (UPI) -- A Washington state woman accused of killing another woman and cutting her unborn child from her womb has had her first court hearing.
Sisouvanh Synhavong, 24, was supposed to be arraigned Wednesday on charges of aggravated first-degree murder. But her plea was postponed for a week so a new defense attorney can be found to take the case, the Tri-City Herald reported Thursday.
Synhavong is accused of stabbing to death Camacho Gomez June 27 and then cutting her nearly full-term baby out of her womb. Synhavong then told 911 dispatchers that she had just given birth but that she thought her newborn son was dead, court documents said.
Emergency responders reportedly found Synhavong covered in blood in the back seat of her car holding what appeared to be an umbilical cord. They resuscitated the baby, who remains on life support in critical condition at a Spokane hospital.
Authorities allege the murder was premeditated and done to facilitate the crime of first-degree kidnapping. Under Washington state law, the only two possible punishments are death or life in prison without parole. Prosecutors have 30 days to decide whether to seek the death penalty for Synhavong.
