Teen Takes Reduced Charge in Baby's Death

PANOLA CO., Miss. - Mississippi teenager will not go to trial for murder charges in the death of her newborn baby boy. 17-year old Linda Nash took a reduced charge of manslaughter in the case.

Defense attorney, Tom Womble said the reduced charge of manslaughter his client Linda Nash took in a plea deal with Panola County prosecutors Friday, was appropriate for the case she's at the center of.

"She's not a criminal," Womble said.

Nash, who's now 17, was facing murder charges in the January 2010 death of her newborn baby boy. Then 16, Womble said Nash confessed to killing the child after giving birth in the bathroom of her foster parents home. But Womble said her actions were not premeditated. He said Nash was unaware she was even pregnant and thought she had a stomach ache. He plans to call her to the stand during sentencing.

"The best witness for Linda Nash, is Linda Nash."

Womble also said Nash is a type two diabetic, and was having severe swings in blood sugar levels at the time. According to the autopsy, the baby's cause of death was a stab wound to the abdomen. Womble revealed the teen used scissors.

"I don't think anyone can ever simply say, this is why it happened," Womble said when asked more about his client's state of mind that day.

Facing a maximum of 20 years instead of life in prison if convicted at trial, Nash will be sentenced in Panola County court next month. Since bonding out of jail, Womble said the good student, who was a junior at North Delta School in Batesville, has since gotten her GED because she wasn't able to return to school.

"We're hoping the court looks at the circumstances that exist, and grants her leniency so we don't lose two children."

Womble said the father of Nash's baby will be revealed in court October 1st when she's sentenced. The results of her medical and physical condition that day will also be revealed.