A Houston jury has reached a decision on the sentencing phase of the trial against Jessica Tata, a daycare owner whose home caught fire, killing and injuring several children.
On November 13, Tata was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 80 years in prison.
Tata, 24, left children in a home on Crest Park near Waypark alone with a pan of grease heating on a stove while she went shopping on February 24, 2011.
When she got home, the house was on fire. Elias, Shomari d**kerson, 3; Elizabeth Kojah, 20 months, and Kendyll Stradford, 20 months, all died in the fire. Three other children were hurt.
Jurors took eight hours to decide on punishment. Tata will be eligible for parole in 30 years.
Tata wiped away tears as her attorney, Mike DeGeurin, said the fire and deaths were an accident. He said Tata made a mistake and never intended for the children to be hurt because she loved them.
“She should have called for help or she should have said to herself, ‘I’ll wait until they wake up, change their diapers, I’ll load them up in the car and we’ll go shopping together,’” DeGeurin said. “But she didn’t.”
DeGeurin said that Tata will forever pay, no matter how long she spends in prison, for using bad judgment.
Common sense is indeed not common.
Posted: at 23-11-2012 02:32 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
dlimelite at 23-11-2012 06:56 PM (12 years ago) (f)
Babies having babies again. Why would you abandon your children at home to go shopping. Is it an emergency that cant wait? You didnt even think about your children. And ontop of that leave a pan of grease heating on the stove. You can't complete one task at a time? Clearly stupid. I feel sorry for those kids who lost their lives becuz they were born with an untrained foolish parent and didn't get to fulfill their task in life. Rest in peace little angels
Posted: at 23-11-2012 06:56 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
The parents of these children may never get over it I hope they’ll continue to have the strength to move on.
She was careless no doubt. I’ll like to make a point that it is very tough to survive in the Western World. Most of the time you have to juggle between so many things in the name of money. Very sad for all involved.
Tata still faces three more counts of felony murder in relation to the other children who died and tree counts of abandoning a child and two counts of reckless injury to a child in relation to the three who were hurt. Prosecutors planned to pursue trials on the remaining felony murder charges.
She was born in the U.S. but has Nigerian citizenship.
i realy feel so pitty for her.why E no be say ni ajanni them give this kind jail sentence intead of this woman.what is the use ajanni living outside freely now???
Posted: at 23-11-2012 09:02 PM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Rest in peace little angels 
?? 
TRENDING GISTS 
Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass After Historic Election As Pope
He Laughed At Me When I Had Issues With The Authorities -Bobrisky React To VeryDarkMan’s Arrest
PHOTOS: Troops Arrest Notorious Gunrunners, Recover Arms In Kaduna
PHOTOS: Young Woman Brutally Murdered By Suspected Ritualists, Priv@te Part Removed In Ogun
Woman Slams Her Husband For Allegedly Having Unprotected S3x With Random Girls After Publicly Apologizing To Her
Actress, Laide Bakare Crowned UN Ambassador Of Peace
VIDEO: President Tinubu Conferred With a Chieftaincy Title in Anambra State