Woman Accused In Katonah Stabbings Appears In Court
BEDFORD HILLS, N.Y. (CBS 2/WCBS 880) -- There has been no plea, no explanation and no defense yet from a woman accused of stabbing her two young nieces in Westchester County.
The defendant appeared before a judge Thursday night. CBS 2's Lou Young was there.
There were no answers from 39-year-old Lisa Turkki, who is accused of attacking the two youngsters while she was babysitting last weekend in upscale Katonah.
The girls ages 7 and 9 were in good condition following surgery Thursday at Westchester Medical Center.
The aunt, who apparently stabbed them with kitchen knives before calling 9-1-1 on Saturday to report the crime, went before a judge in nearby Bedford Town Court to sign off on a new attorney apparently hired by her family. She was not anxious to discuss a possible defense.
"At this point, and I've only been on this case two days, and in view of the nature of this case, which is, you know, very serious and very sensitive, I think it would be wrong for me to make any further comment," attorney Leanne Mettler said.
Although she appears to be heavily medicated, both Turkki's attorney and the Westchester County District Attorney's Office agree that she is well enough to understand what's happening around her, waiving the right to what is called a "730 examination."
"A 730 examination is an examination to determine whether a defendant is fit to appear in court. It was not requested," said Assistant DA Heide Mason.
That's not to say Turkki is a well woman. The judge made reference to medications she's getting in jail and her lawyer seemed extremely concerned as she watched her client shuffle back to the police van after court.
It's expected Turkki will spend the rest of the summer in county jail while her attorney decides how to approach the defense. She has been formally charged with two counts of assault in the first degree.
