Trial Begins For Castle Rock Mother Accused Of Murdering Children
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4)- The trial for a Castle Rock mother accused of killing her own children began on Wednesday.
Kelli Murphy has been charged with first degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
The bodies of Liam, 9, and Madigan, 6, were found in their beds in May 2011. The Douglas County coroner said they died from asphyxia due to smothering.
On Wednesday, attorneys painted two very different pictures of Murphy.
Prosecutors said Murphy killed her children because she was distraught from her divorce.
The defense claims Murphy didn't remember what happened that night because she was high on prescription pills and alcohol. They also said she intended to kill herself so that the children would wake up to find their mother had passed.
Police officers testified that Murphy told them she drank a bottle of vodka and took several types of sleeping pills the night her two children were killed. She also told them she had blacked out several times.
When police arrived at the family home after Murphy's suicidal 911 call, she had slit her wrists.
Police said both children were found tucked into their beds with blankets up to their necks. The rooms were clean and tidy and vacuumed. They were both dead.
When photos of the children lying in their beds were shown in court, Murphy was shaking and looked away.
When a paramedic testified about when he asked Murphy when she last saw her babies, she replied, "Last night." The paramedic also told jurors when asked what she remembered she began sobbing.
Murphy also told first responders she cut herself the night before in the master bathtub.
One crime scene analyst testified that blood was found in many rooms of the home but not the children's.
One paramedic also testified that while he was examining Murphy she asked him if he would kill her.
The trial is expected to last three weeks.
