Shawna Forde faces the death penalty as closing arguments begin in one of the strangest trials in Arizona history. Terry Greene Sterling on the accused's surprising endgame.
For Shawna Forde, a 43-year-old beautician-turned-border vigilante, the moment of truth is at hand. For months, Forde, a Minuteman charged with masterminding a 2009 home invasion in which 9-year-old Brisenia Flores and her dad, Raul, were slaughtered on the Arizona border, has maintained her innocence and pushed her lawyers to let her testify on her own behalf. But now, as one of the most bizarre and controversial murder trials in Arizona history draws to a close at Pima County Superior Court in Tucson, Forde has decided not to take the witness stand. It is the ultimate legal gamble. If Forde, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and several home-invasion-related crimes, is convicted, she could get the death penalty.
For Shawna Forde, a 43-year-old beautician-turned-border vigilante, the moment of truth is at hand. For months, Forde, a Minuteman charged with masterminding a 2009 home invasion in which 9-year-old Brisenia Flores and her dad, Raul, were slaughtered on the Arizona border, has maintained her innocence and pushed her lawyers to let her testify on her own behalf. But now, as one of the most bizarre and controversial murder trials in Arizona history draws to a close at Pima County Superior Court in Tucson, Forde has decided not to take the witness stand. It is the ultimate legal gamble. If Forde, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and several home-invasion-related crimes, is convicted, she could get the death penalty.
- 2/10/2011
- by Terry Greene Sterling
- The Daily Beast
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.