|
Can You Kill Seven People and Blame it on Thyroid Disease? |
 |
Indiana's "Wrong Way Driver" Blames Thyroid Disease for Accident that Killed 7
|
|
Join the Discussion
|
POLL: Is untreated thyroid disease a valid defense for Judy Kirby's psychosis and fatal car crash? Take our poll and speak your mind!
Vote now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
by Mary J. Shomon
On Monday, April 23, 2001, the Martinsville, Indiana trial of Judy Kirby began. Kirby, 32, is accused of killing seven people -- including three of her own children -- by going the wrong way on a highway and ultimately crashing into a minivan on March 25, 2000. Prosecutors contend that the single mother, who had 10 children and had recently given birth, had decided to take her children's lives.
According to prosecutors, Kirby drove her car past 16 "Do Not Enter" and "Wrong Way" signs before ultimately crashing, resulting in seven counts of murder in the deaths of three of her children, a nephew traveling with her, the minivan driver, and two of his children.
Kirby's defense team claims that a thyroid imbalance left Kirby delusional and unable to intentionally cause the crash.
In her opening statement, Kirby's lawyer Jennifer Auger, said `She doesn't respond the way many of us would because she has a disease, an illness.''
In the months after the accident, Auger had attempted to argue that Kirby was suffering from post-partum depression after giving birth five months before the crash. Her efforts to have Kirby declared incompetent to stand trial were unsuccessful.
Auger is now claiming that the accident is a result of medical incompetence. Doctors released Judy Kirby after a hospitalization 3 weeks prior to the accident.
SPEAK UP: Do you think thyroid disease is a valid defense for Judy Kirby's murder charge? Vote now at the forum, and jump into the discussion!
YOU CAN STAY INFORMED ON THE LATEST THYROID DISEASE INFORMATION
Whether it's a free email newsletter or report about thyroid disease, the latest books that help you live well with your thyroid condition, or support and information from fellow thyroid patients, you'll find a variety of resources here at the About Thyroid site.
