Lisa Snyder, a woman from Albany Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, has been officially sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of her two children. The sentencing took place on Thursday, following her conviction last month.
Snyder was found guilty of killing her eight-year-old son, Conner, and four-year-old daughter, Brinley, in September 2019. The children were found hanging in the basement of their home and died three days later after being taken off life support.
During the trial, Snyder claimed that her son was bullied and had threatened to take his own life. However, authorities found no evidence to support her claim. An occupational therapist testified that the boy was not physically capable of causing harm to himself or his sister.
NBC Philadelphia reported that police also cited Snyder's online searches for information about suicide, death by hanging, and how to kill someone as evidence. Additionally, she had watched episodes of a documentary crime series called “I Almost Got Away With It.”
Snyder's defense argued for an acquittal, stating that the case was based on speculation and “guesswork.” However, Berks County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Theresa Johnson took about an hour before issuing a guilty verdict. Snyder was also convicted of child endangerment and evidence tampering.