Belmont Woman Accused Of Killing 1-Year-Old Daughter Pleads Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE - The Belmont woman accused of killing her 1-year-old daughter last week pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the case Friday.
Autum Sky Palmer, 20, also known as Autum Stotelmyer entered the plea Friday morning in Belmont County Common Pleas Court. Palmer is charged in the shooting death of her daughter July 31 on Buttermilk Road in Belmont.
Common Pleas Judge Chris Berhalter said that Palmer is facing one count of purposely causing the death of someone under the age of 13, with a firearms specification. Berhalter informed Palmer that, if convicted, she could face up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
During the hearing Palmer’s attorney, Belmont County Public Defender Aaron Miller, sought a mental health evaluation for Palmer.
Belmont County Assistant Prosecutor Joe Vavra requested to Berhalter that bail either be denied or that a substantial bond be set.
"This is one of the most serious offenses in the state of Ohio. It involves allegations of violent crime,” Vavra said. “There’s also concern regarding the investigation of potential thoughts or statements about self-harm on behalf of the defendant. So there is concern for her safety as well."
He added that it is typical of the courts to deny bail when a defendant enters a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Berhalter accepted Miller's plea for Palmer and denied a bond amount until at least after the mental health evaluation. He added that if Miller wishes to make a motion regarding the possibility of bail that he will entertain the motion following the evaluation.
Berhalter then set a review on the matter at 10 a.m. September 8 in Common Pleas Court, but didn't set a trial date.
"I’m hesitant to set a trial date with the understanding that we don’t know when those evaluations will be, but by setting that review, we’ll keep this on the docket and keep this case moving forward," Berhalter said. "Now, I will entertain an argument if the state or the defendant wants the trial date set today."
Both Miller and Vavra declined to argue to set a trial date.
Until a potential bond is set, Palmer will remain in the Belmont County jail.