Sanity Finding Disputed In Granddaughter's Murder Case

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- Lawyers for a Frederick County woman charged with first-degree murder of her grandmother are challenging a mental fitness report.

The Frederick News-Post reports in its Tuesday edition that defense attorneys want the court to determine if 20-year-old Hestina Harris can be held criminally responsible for the December 2014 stabbing death of 67-year-old Lillie Morris at their Burkittsville home.

People can be found not criminally responsible if they had a mental disorder that made them unable to appreciate the criminality of their conduct or act within the requirements of the law.

Harris has pleaded not guilty and not criminally responsible. A psychological examination by the state's expert found her competent to stand trial and able to appreciate the criminality of her conduct at the time of the attack.

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