DC mother convicted of killing 4 daughters sentenced to 120 years in prison

DC mother who killed 4 girls gets 120 years

WASHINGTON — A Washington, D.C., woman convicted of killing her four daughters has been sentenced to 120 years in prison.

Banita Jacks was found in her southeast Washington rowhouse in January 2008 with her children’s decomposing bodies.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Frederick H. Weisberg handed down the sentence Friday after first rejecting a defense motion calling into question Jacks’ earlier refusal to use an insanity defense.

Weisberg sentenced Jacks to the mandatory minimum of 30 years for the murder of each child. He rejected the defense’s suggestion that the sentences should run concurrently.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Washington, D.C., woman convicted of killing her four daughters is expected back in court for a hearing on her refusal to use an insanity defense.

Banita Jacks was found in her southeast Washington row house in January 2008 with her children’s decomposing bodies.

Her lawyers had wanted her to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. They say the 34-year-old wasn’t competent when she rejected that advice.

The defense has asked Judge Frederick H. Weisberg to appoint an independent counsel to investigate. Prosecutors say there’s no need. They’ll be in court Friday.

If Weisberg rejects the defense request, he could move quickly to Jacks’ sentencing. Prosecutors have already filed a memorandum asking that she get a life term.