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Tragic Case of Pennsylvania Mother Sentenced for Murdering Her Children
A Pennsylvania woman received two life sentences without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of murdering her two young children, whose bodies were discovered hanging in the family home in September 2019.
Lisa Snyder, 41, faced justice last month when she was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of her children, Connor, aged 8, and Brinley, aged 4. They were found in their Albany Township residence, approximately 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia, and tragically succumbed to their injuries three days after being taken off life support, as reported by the Associated Press.
During the sentencing hearing held in Berks County, Snyder exhibited no visible emotion as the proceedings unfolded, according to the Reading Eagle.
Judge Theresa Johnson characterized this case as one of the most horrific she had encountered on the bench. She noted that Snyder had shown no signs of remorse for her actions. In addition to the life sentences, the judge imposed an additional 8.5 to 17 years on Snyder for counts related to child endangerment and tampering with evidence.
Family Impact and Brother’s Testimony
Owen Snyder, the 22-year-old brother of the deceased children, spoke out during the sentencing, describing his mother as a “monster” and expressing that he no longer views her as a parent. He reflected on the loss of his siblings and the subsequent impact it had on his life, lamenting their absence from family moments, particularly how they would never be able to be aunts and uncles to his newborn son. “If I could turn back time, I would, just to hear their voices,” he stated.
Rebuttal to the Defendant’s Claims
The prosecution refuted Snyder’s claims that Connor had been bullied and had threatened to take his own life. Investigators found no evidence to support her assertions. A school bus video recorded the day of the incident showed Connor acting normally, and a professional later indicated that he was physically incapable of inflicting harm to himself or his sister.
Authorities also revealed that Snyder had conducted online searches related to suicide and methods of murder shortly before the deaths of her children, including inquiries about a crime series titled “I Almost Got Away With It.”
Legal Proceedings and Verdict
A coroner confirmed that both Connor and Brinley’s deaths were homicides, attributing their cause of death to hanging. During the trial, the defense team argued for acquittal, claiming the prosecution’s case was built on conjecture rather than concrete evidence. Snyder had expressed a desire to plead no contest to third-degree murder on the grounds of mental illness, but this plea was ultimately dismissed by the judge.
This heart-wrenching case has left a profound mark on the community and serves as a somber reminder of the serious consequences of family violence.
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