Lori Burchett, 40 |
RIVERSIDE (KTLA) -- A 40-year old woman could spend the rest of her life in prison for the brutal beating and stabbing death of her toddler son.
Lori Burchett was convicted in February of first-degree murder and assault following the 2009 stabbing death of her son, 17-month-old Garrison Burchett.
Today the judge sentenced Burchett 25 years to life for each count.
Police were called to the Burchett home in 2009 by the boy's father, who said he found his son dead when he returned home.
Greg Burchett spoke to reporters shortly after his wife's arrest.
"I came home and I saw my baby, and my wife was traumatized and I don't know all the answers yet, but I found my baby," Greg Burchett said.
"I've always been extremely supportive of my wife. I just don't understand what happened," he said.
"The facts have taken place, but I don't understand the rationale or what happened behind it. And until that comes up, when all the evidence is there and everything is vetted, I want to understand what happened. Until then, all I know is I've lost a son."
The toddler had suffered blunt force trauma to the head and had a puncture wound to his abdomen when he was found, according to police Sgt. Mark Rossi.
Burchett had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Burchett now faces a possible maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jean Pfeiffer Leonard set April 8 for sentencing.
Lori Burchett was convicted in February of first-degree murder and assault following the 2009 stabbing death of her son, 17-month-old Garrison Burchett.
Today the judge sentenced Burchett 25 years to life for each count.
Police were called to the Burchett home in 2009 by the boy's father, who said he found his son dead when he returned home.
Greg Burchett spoke to reporters shortly after his wife's arrest.
"I came home and I saw my baby, and my wife was traumatized and I don't know all the answers yet, but I found my baby," Greg Burchett said.
"I've always been extremely supportive of my wife. I just don't understand what happened," he said.
"The facts have taken place, but I don't understand the rationale or what happened behind it. And until that comes up, when all the evidence is there and everything is vetted, I want to understand what happened. Until then, all I know is I've lost a son."
The toddler had suffered blunt force trauma to the head and had a puncture wound to his abdomen when he was found, according to police Sgt. Mark Rossi.
Burchett had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Burchett now faces a possible maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jean Pfeiffer Leonard set April 8 for sentencing.
