Law professor comments on murder defense

Professor Carissa Byrne Hessick of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law recently was interviewed on FOX News about the possible defense of a woman who confessed in jailhouse media interviews that she tortured and murdered a disabled homeless man.

In the Aug. 21 report, "Can Admitted Killer Get a Fair Trial?" by reporter Steve Krafft, Hessick said that Angela Simpson may not appreciate that the killing of Terry Neely was wrong. His body was found in a burning trash container by Phoenix fire crews on Aug. 5.

"But she understands that she's going to jail, and she understands that it was illegal," said Hessick after watching Krafft's interview. "She understands what she's done."

Janie Magruder, [email protected]
(480) 727-9052
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law