ROCKVILLE, Md. – The two women accused of killing children during an exorcism in Germantown, Md. will likely use insanity defenses.
A Montgomery County Circuit judge Friday set a trial date of July 28 for Zakieya Avery, the mother who allegedly killed her two children.
Police called to her Germantown home in late January found a bloody crime scene. According to investigators, Avery stabbed and killed her 18-month-old son and 2-year-old daughter, claiming they were possessed by evil spirits.
Avery also allegedly stabbed and injured her other two children.
She is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said Avery will likely enter a plea of insanity in the near future.
In a separate court appearance Friday, Monifa Sanford, a second woman charged with same offenses, entered a plea.
“Ms. Sanford, through her attorney, filed a plea that we anticipated, which is a plea of not criminally responsible, which is tantamount to basically pleading insanity at the time of the crime,” said McCarthy.
Sanford will undergo a mental evaluation. Her trial is scheduled for Aug. 25.
Related Stories:
- 2 women charged in stabbing death of Germantown children
- Police: Mom charged in kids’ death feared devil
Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on WTOP Facebook page.
