A 27-year-old woman was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for leaving her newborn daughter in a Wal-Mart restroom last year.
Amy Shorter covered her face after the verdict was read Wednesday, and several relatives cried as they left the courtroom. They declined to comment.
The jury found Shorter guilty of felony murder for causing the baby’s death while committing first-degree cruelty to children.
Defense attorney Elizabeth Lane had argued that Shorter did not intend to kill her child. Lane said Shorter didn’t know she was pregnant and panicked after giving birth in the Macon store restroom on Aug. 14, 2005. She left the baby there on impulse, Lane said.
The 8-pound infant died five days later at a hospital.
“I’ve seen you express remorse. I don’t know what was in your mind that day,” said Superior Court Judge Byron Smith.