Uthmeier moves to impeach judge who let off killer mother for ‘COVID psychosis’
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced plans to file impeachment articles against a Miami judge after a woman, Precious Bland, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the drowning of her 15-month-old baby adn the stabbing of her husband and daughter. Bland, who faced serious charges including manslaughter and attempted murder, was found not guilty due to a purported psychotic episode attributed to COVID-19, which her attorney claimed was a trigger. The judge, Miguel De La O, conducted a two-day bench trial. Uthmeier condemned the outcome via social media, calling for impeachment of the judge. Bland expressed gratitude after the verdict, despite the tragic circumstances.The prosecution argued Bland was aware of her actions and dismissed her mental health defense, asserting her behavior was not legally insane.Bland’s husband testified that she was acting abnormally on the day of the incidents. Her lawyer emphasized the novelty of using COVID-19 as a defense in a murder trial, while also noting Bland’s mental state was not deemed requiring institutionalization. Bland is set to have a status hearing to determine her release conditions.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Thursday he plans to file an article of impeachment against a Miami judge after a woman was found not guilty in the drowning of her baby, arguing she was experiencing a psychotic episode due to COVID-19.
Precious Bland, 43, was found not guilty due to reason of insanity on Tuesday by Judge Miguel De La O after a two-day bench trial examining Bland’s drowning of her 15-month-old baby and stabbing of her husband and 16-year-old daughter. Bland was facing charges for aggravated manslaughter and first-degree attempted murder.
Recommended Stories
“This was a bench trial. It’s time to impeach this judge,” Uthmeier said in an X post. “My office will be drafting articles of impeachment, and we look forward to working with all legislators who will support.”
Uthmeier’s post was in response to a news reel of Bland hearing the verdict and a subsequent interview.
“God is good. This doesn’t bring back my daughter,” Bland said following the verdict. “I’m thankful. I love my children.”
Bland’s attorney, Larry Handfield, argued that the mother of six was experiencing a psychotic episode that was triggered by COVID-19 when the incidents occurred in 2021. Bland was reportedly trying to “baptize” her family members who were also sick, and was saying, “Jesus Christ is coming and COVID is going to kill us all.”
State Prosecutor Elizabeth Utset rather argued that Bland was lashing out at her husband for infidelity, something the mother referenced in alleged statements to law enforcement.
“It’s odd behavior, judge, it is, but it’s not legal insanity,” Utset said during the trial. “The voices and the COVID psychosis are a fabrication and an embellished story.”
Prosecutors added that while Bland could have been suffering from mental health problems, she was aware of what she was doing.
Bland’s husband, Evan Bland, testified in the trial that his wife was acting abnormally on the day of the baby’s death. Evan said he and his wife are both victims.
Handfield argued for Bland that “there’s so much we don’t know about COVID.” He added that the case was “groundbreaking” because it was the first time COVID-19 was used as a defense in a murder trial.
“That theory doesn’t make sense to me that she decided to do all of the things that she did: going to all the neighbors, calling her family members, putting the kids in the water, all of it because she was angry due to some perceived infidelity,” De La O said after hearing the state’s argument.
Despite pleading psychosis, Handfield said he is not seeking to have his client institutionalized, arguing that psychological evaluations found such an action unnecessary.
MAN ARRESTED BY REFLECTING POOL SAYS HE’LL CONTEST OBSCENITY CHARGE
Precious Bland will appear for a status hearing on Thursday to determine the conditions of her release.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Uthmeier’s office for comment.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
