Lisa Montgomery: Guilty By Reason of Sanity
A Kansas City jury spoke yesterday—loud and clear.
In less time than it took to perhaps eat dinner and take a napkin to the corner of their dirty mouths, after listening to closing arguments, the jury in the Lisa Montgomery case found her guilty.
No more is Lisa Montgomery an alleged murderer. No more is Lisa thought to be the one who murdered Bobbi Jo Stinnett and cut her eight-month-old fetus from her womb.
Now Lisa is a cold-blooded murderer.
Period.
I had heard before the trial that she was going to claim that he brother was there and had helped her commit the crime.
Nonsense.
I had also heard that Lisa claimed she didn’t remember being inside Bobbi Jo’s house.
More nonsense.
I heard, too, that Kevin Montgomery, Lisa’s nonchalantly ignorant husband, was biting his nails wondering if the US attorney was going to admit several videotapes the FBI uncovered in his and Lisa’s bedroom during a search warrant—and we can all guess what’s on those tapes—that allegedly involve another party.
Never happened.
Lisa Montgomery wanted everyone to feel sorry for her because of the “rough” life she had. Because she was sexually abused and beaten. And we do. We don’t want to see anyone abused. Writing my book, I learned things about Lisa’s childhood that made me sick. I felt sorry for her (as a child).
But empathy and sympathy are not the points here no longer.
We’re going to hear all about Lisa’s abusive upbringing now as the trial heads into the penalty phase.
We’re going to see witnesses sit on the stand and proclaim that Lisa had a nasty life. That she should be spared her life because of her tumultuous upbringing. We’re going to see Kevin Montgomery cry and say how much he loves his wife. (Poor soul …) They’ll drag people down now with the stories they force them to tell. They’ll point fingers. They’ll beg Lisa’s kids to say nice things about her.
All to save her life.
I asked Lisa’s ex-husband, Carl Boman, what he wants: “I don’t know,” he told me a while back. “I just don’t know.”
The one thing no one will say, which her lawyers argued unsuccessfully for the past two weeks, is that Lisa Montgomery is insane. Because the jury says she’s not.
And all those doctors who came in backed them up.
This woman is a pathological liar. She lied to her children. Her husbands. Her town. Herself. Her lawyers.
The court. Most important, Bobbi Jo Stinnett. Anyone and everyone she could lie to, she did—without a second thought. Without batting an eye. Without a care.
And it was all to serve her own selfish needs! She made her kids work and give her money for cigarettes and Pepsi. She lazed on the couch all day while those same kids did the work around the house. She manipulated her kids and Bobbi Jo for months, convincing these fragile minds that she was pregnant.
Throughout the trial I waited for the bombshell—but it never came. I learned nothing new. I was told—by several seething readers of my book; people who had an axe to grind with me—over and over, “You wait until the trial, Phelps, all that stuff you wrote about will be proven to be lies.”
I had one person tell me that I knew nothing about investigation. I missed a lot, she said. I should be ashamed of myself. Her husband was one of he heroes of law enforcement in this story, she explained.
“Wait until the trial,” she warned.
Right.
At this moment, I ask all of my adversaries to match my book up against this trial and you tell me. Please, I beg of you to show me what I missed.
What I am forever grateful for is that the trial vindicated (redeemed) Carl Boman and his kids (I won’t even call them Lisa’s kids anymore). They took such a shelling (mainly here on Crime Rant—go to the Lisa Montgomery archives) by people in and around their community for coming out and telling the truth in my book. I got letters from people who said they were all liars.
“Wait until the trial, Phelps!”
We waited.
Nothing happened.
But now, I must say, it’s my turn to speak.
So many people in the Kansas City region had it out for me and my book. Hell, the Kansas City Star, a paper that covered this story from day one on its front pages, has never even acknowledged my book. Even when my book was published and I toured the Midwest, stopping in Kansas City, the Star refused to interview me or write about the book, good, bad, or indifferent. In an article two weeks ago by Mark Morris, a Kansas City Star staffer, Morris (or his editors) couldn’t even mention the title of my book. To continue the snub, his article said something to the effect that a “hardcover book” had been written about the case.
A hardcover book. Imagine that. Couldn’t even print the title! How ‘bout dem apples. That Rodney Dangerfield line keeps popping into my head … I tell ya, I tell ya …
But it’s much more than that. And we all know it’s not about me.
None of that matters now. The question on the table is, Does Lisa Montgomery deserve life or death? And what will those same jurors vote?
Tell us here at Crime Rant what you think: life or death for Lisa Montgomery?
[CR Note: The Kansas City Star finally acknowledges Matt's book by referring to his Crime Rant post today.]
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:00 am
I think that life in prison is more cruel than death. What could be worse than staring at 3 concrete walls and a barred door 24-7 for an indeterminate number of years? For that reason, I think Lisa should get life…in solitary.
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:16 am
I think that they should slice her belly open while she’s wide eyed and awake. Then walk away while she lays helpless on the floor to bleed to death!
DP all the way!!
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:44 am
i like the way michelle thinks. life in prison is too easy. a seemingly peaceful death by injection is too nice. she should suffer. i can’t imagine a more horrible death and to know a “friend” was taking your life and taking your child. i’m with michelle.
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:53 am
Life Without Parole.
gregg
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:23 am
I agree, Gregg.
Life without parole.
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:37 am
I love your passion for Justice Matt. It really comes through in your writing.
I think she deserves to die, but I would prefer to see her spend the rest of her days behind bars.
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:48 am
I agree life without parole as well. Now that I am done throwing up a bit in my mouth over the sex video’s again lol.
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:11 am
Either would be fine with me, DP or life w/out parole. I kind of like the thought she’ll have no one to get her pepsi and cigarettes while she lounges watching tv.
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:33 am
While part of me thinks the death penalty is deserved here, I couldn’t throw the switch or press the plunger myself and not think I was lowering myself to her level. Solitary confinement seems a more just punishment overall, to me. No sofa, no pepsi and maybe a job cleaning the toilets?
Take care
Millie
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:41 am
Cool deal getting mentioned in the Star and the guy that wrote it acknowledged your displeasure.
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:46 am
Because there is no doubt about the identity of the perpetrator, I say she should get the DP. LWOP doesn’t mean solitary confinement. LWOP means she can get a job, get married, have recreational activities, free medical care, and enjoy the rest of her life without having to worry about survival or retirement. She can have visitors and write letters and continue on with her life, she just can’t go anywhere.
The DP will put her in a solitary cell, 23 hours a day for the next 25 years or until they abolish the DP, whichever comes first.
Excellent post Matt.
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:03 am
Bobbi Jo Stinnett never got to know the joy of holding her baby for the first time…or ever. Never got to play with those little fingers and toes, or nuzzle her sweet neck, or enjoy all the firsts…first laugh, first step, first butterfly.
And somewhere in Missouri is a little girl who will never know her mother’s abiding love.
Lisa Montgomery is a mother. She got those precious moments with her children, whether she appreciated them or not. Bobbi Jo never can, because Montgomery took them away from her and Victoria Jo-without remorse and without a twinge of conscience.
I vote for the death penalty.
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:07 am
Death. Without a doubt, she does not need to have anything to look forward to. (recreation yard, talking with other inmates at dinner, etc…….) She deserves to die for this heinous crime. I only wish that it could be in the same manner as her victim died.
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:08 am
This woman deserves to die for what she did. She didn’t show Bobbi Jo Stinnett any mercy, and I don’t beleive she deserves any either.
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:14 am
I think they should let her in general population in a maximum security womens prison. That way all the mothers who cannot see their children, but actually do love them can take care of her for Bobbi Jo. As someone who was pregnant when this happen, it still hurts me to the core. I want her to hurt the way Bobbi Jo did. And I agree with the prosecuters of this case during their closing statements…..Victoria Jo will celebrate her birthday every year on the anniversary of her mother’s death. There is nothing more horrible than that. I feel so horrible for Zeb, his family, his daughter, and Bobbi Jo’s family. They did not deserve this. Lisa Montgomery lied and deceived everyone who loved her. I don’t care how bad her childhood was. I simply don’t care. There are lots of people with bad childhoods…..that doesn’t make them killers.
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I don’t think she deserves to live and she would never be in solitary! No, I don’t think any taxpayers in KS want to keep her alive. I have no qualms about the D.P. and thank God I live in the great state of TX, where we actually execute many well-deserving criminals each year!
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I agree, DP!! I too had a ROTTEN child hood. I also got help to put it behind me. Some things still come back to haunt me, I just learned how to best deal with them when things come up. I am now an adult with a family of my own, I am responsible for my own actions. As an adult Lisa knew full well what she was doing. There are no excuses.
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
You were admirably succinct, Rae, and I agree.I do think Michelle Gray’s suggestion is a good one, though!
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I agree that she deserves death , but I don’t think she’d suffer enough waiting on death row . I’d rather see life without parole and hope the other inmates sort her out .
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Amen on the guilty verdict!!
Lots of people have had hard lives growing up. Some people come out better for it and others, choose a life of crime. No excuse.
If she gets the DP, when will it happen? If it’s something that she appeal for years than what’s the point?
Make her life in prison a living hell. I’m sure that the women in prison are mothers and won’t care for what she did.
Give her life and maybe an inmate will take her to hell and back.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Chain gang.
In Africa
With no hat.
Back in reality – life, no parole, in solitary with pictures of her crime all over the walls.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Ok,Ok, I forgot who I was for a second . . . You *KNOW* I’m going for the death penalty since torture is out of the question.
October 23rd, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Death
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Like Lisa in Oklahoma says, fill her walls with pictures. She doesn’t deserve to live another 20 years though, typically what would happen on death row. Can’t we make torture legal just for this one instance?
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Matt, I would say you are vindicated. How retarded is the Morris dude that he said it was a hardcover book though?
I wonder what his bookshelf looks like.
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:29 pm
“I wonder what his bookshelf looks like.”
The collective works of Calvin and Hobbes (softback, of course) and a couple of ancient Sports Illustrated swimsuit editions, probably.
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Lisa, don’t be so harsh to Africa! Africa did nothing to deserve her.
My copy of the book is hardcover. It took a while to came out in paperback.
I vote for life without the possibility of parole.
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Lisa Montgomery should get Death! Why should she get LWOP so that she gets guitar lessons, art classes, can take college courses, etc at taxpayers expense? The problem with the DP is the long appeals process. I have said this before: Shorten the appeals process to about 5 years and then, execute the condemned.
Montgomery’s crimes are particularly heinous which cry out for the death penalty. Montgomery knew darn well what she was doing when she cut out Bobbie Jo’s baby and left her to die a slow, agonizing painful death.
I’m glad that the jury rejected the insanity defense.
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Tina, its too easy to say DP. In this case I agree, I wouldnt shed a tear.
BUT… Especially in Texas where they kill em quick, too many cases come up that an innocent person is murdered by the state. DNA is brought in, and lo and behold, this person didnt do it.
I am personally against murder myself, be it unborn babies, or convicted killers.
Also I think that LWOP is probably worse than death.
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Death, period. She is undeniably guilty, therefore she deserves no more mercy than she gave Bobbie Jo Stinnett.
I do like the suggestion, however, that in the interim period between now and her date with the needle, her cell should be papered with photos of Bobbie Jo. Toss in a few crime scene photos, too, let her remember her deed in vivid color.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:36 am
I agree with Gregg, life w/out parole. Death is too easy. Once you are dead there is no suffering, it is over. I think she should be made to grow old behind bars. And remember, crimes that are done to children and women are not okay with inmates. Some kind of Code between criminals, but she will pay dearly, for years and years.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:58 am
LWOP assuming there really is truth in sentencing. Unless they can kill her quick without endless appeals etc then why should the families suffer through them. And it has been shown the keeping someone on death row, with all the attenednt appeals, costs a lot more than to keep someone in jail for life. Do you really want your community to keep paying for her?
October 24th, 2007 at 5:10 am
If she is given LWOP, she will be allowed to live in the general population. On death row, she would be isolated, and even if it took twenty years to work through the appeals process, which is ridiculous, she would have served a combo life/death sentence. I would like to think she would come to terms with what she did, but experience tells me she would just further justify her actions and/or find jailhouse religion that would shift accountability to everyone else because “God has forgiven her.”
The way the courts works, and the shifts in attitude toward the death penalty, with time a death sentence could be commuted to life. That would lessen life without parole and could reduce LWOP to an opportunity for parole. This woman doesn’t deserve to see the light of day outside a prison or even its consideration. Although I understand the need to protect the rights of all citizens, it seems to me there are people that have made a career and seek a reputation as a crusader defending and supporting the lowest in society with little regard to whether those criminals have received the judgment they deserve for their crimes.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I think if DP is commuted, they arent going to do it like they did it last time. Now I think that it would be that they get LWOP. I dont think that would mean that people already serving LWOP would get less.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Nona,
Lol!! yeah, that’s true. See what I would have unleashed on some poor unsuspecting country?? Man, it’s a good thing I’m not in charge . . .well, for now anyway, lol.
October 24th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Melissa, I understand about not wanting to execute innocent people, however, Lisa Montgomery is GUILTY beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence against her was overwhelming. Her DNA was all over the crime scene, under Bobbie Jo’s finger nails and mixed in with Victoria Jo’s blood. And to top it all, the police found Victoria Jo in Lisa’s arms when they went to the Montgomery home to arrest her.
I found a link to the Kansas City News that has daily videos (news) of the trial. You were right, Matt, two of Lisa’s kids were called to testify that she was a ‘wonderful’ mother and begged the jury to spare her life. What a wrenching experience that had to have been for them to have to get up there and say that Lisa was a great mom and a great person. I feel so much sorrow for her kids.
Here’s the link. http://stjoechannel.com/content/news?
The prosecution played the 911 tape in court today.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:32 am
At times like this I feel like I am stuck on the fence. I don’t want the community to be punished, but I don’t want Lisa to get off light either.
When it came to putting one of my daughters on the stand (to testify against her nasty dad) I didn’t want it! I fought it! She was only 10! But my ex pushed it. Good thing though, she is (and was then) tough as nails and told the truth. He got convicted.
Do I know if it bothers her? I don’t ask as it still bothers me that she was forced to go.
They shouldn’t drag those children into it, it isn’t right in my opinion.
October 25th, 2007 at 6:56 am
Hey Rae,
That is insulting to all the Calvin and Hobbs fans out there!! lol.
October 25th, 2007 at 7:38 am
Oh, it was a moot question for me anyway. I am against the death penalty. For everyone. Though like I say, in cases like these I wont lose sleep over their deaths.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Putting Lisa’s daughter on the stand is probably not going to have much influence over this jury.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Just went over and read Matt’s first blog where the fights started with the families. I had forgotten about the crazy Uncle Teddy. (who never tells a lie)
October 25th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I’m personally tired of people using excuses (like their horrid childhoods) for why they committed a murder. As has already been said, many people suffer terrible childhoods but don’t grow up to be murderers.
That being said, this was one of the most horrific crimes I’ve ever read about. To kill a young woman on the brink of one of the most beautiful experiences of one’s life, and then to mutilate her and steal her baby, I feel sick just writing about it. Not only did Bobbi Jo suffer but she probably thought her baby was going to die as well. No one should ever suffer the way that she did.
Being that we don’t condone slow torturous deaths for murderers in our society, a lifetime of solitary confinement works for me.
October 26th, 2007 at 6:46 am
Can anyone ever talk about examining a killer’s childhood, for purposes of understanding how or why somebody could turn out to be a murderer, without somebody screaming that excuses are being made for the killer?
Has anyone said that a killer should not be punished because they had a terrible childhood? I don’t think so! If anyone has said this then I have missed it!
I find it fascinating to study the childhoods of killers, and I do feel bad for them, but I do not think it means they should not be punished for their crimes. They must be held accountable, and there is also the matter of locking them up so they can’t repeat the crime.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Welp, the Jury said death.
October 26th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
so glad they found her guilty and didn’t fall for the insanity or the kids pleas. Good riddence.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:57 am
Why is it the Lisa, who acted alone in this crime, gets to go to sleep and be free from all memories of her gruesome crime, and there are so many others that will be serving out a life sentence. I think that a little bit of compassion for ALL the victims needs to be exhibited. It amazes me on how the need to defend our opinions or what “some” have printed becomes more important then tact or grace. Lisa has been convicted and sentenced to death for a crime that she committed, but so many will spend the rest of their lives suffering not only for what she did but for what the trial and the numerous “true crime” investigation books that are written. There are skeletons in everyones closets, they’re embarrasing and humiliating and its not bad enough that anyone would be associated to someone capable of such a horrible crime let alone related to someone, but hey, since the exposure is already there, lets just air it out to the whole entire world. There are things that were found out during the trial that were different then in print and there were things found out in the investigation that never made it to the stand. It amazes me that Lisa’s brother was mentioned in this blog, and for those who don’t know, it would be the brother that never made it to the stand but yet was held in the same holding facility as Lisa throughout the entire trial in lockdown. Matt, since you are so proud of your investigative abilities, why don’t you research how many times her brother has been in trouble with the law because of her. How many times he went in front of a court of law and they believed her over anyone else. In fact, it is safe to say that the sentence that he is facing right now wouldn’t be what it is if it weren’t for the “grid” that he’s in due to all the times he’s been in trouble with Lisa. Now don’t get me wrong, he has no trouble finding trouble on his own but none the less she has dealt him so much trouble and no one, no court of law, and no law enforcer, ever doubted Lisa Montgomery’s word or her “act” of innocence. There’s a challenge for you but I’m sure that you’ll pay not heed to it due to it’s lack of gore, but hey, it does give you a little bit of insight to the fact that she’s been playing her “role” for alot longer. Oh, and I was under the understanding that her “full” blooded sister was supposed to be be a witness for the prosecution and at the last minute they decided to wait for the defense to call her. Do you know what her story is, I mean, you did say you spoke to everyone. I know that other witnesses portrayed her to be just as much as a victim of child abuse if not more then her. I think it’s was heartless how the defense attacked Lisa’s mother, we as parents don’t always make the right decisions in raising our children,and it was brought out in court that she herself was a victim of abuse. How dare anyone blame her for what Lisa did. It seems to me that when it comes down to it that there were other people that may have known Lisa just a little bit more then her “ex” husband did, I don’t know, maybe her eldest daugther, her sister, her mom. And also, several times in the media, the question or statement has been made “why didn’t her family do anything, if they would’ve maybe Bobby Jo would still be alive”, during the trial it was made known that her family on several occasions tried to expose Lisa and her lies and no one believed them because Lisa had already convinced everyone that her family were the liars and manipulators. The fact is that Bobby Jo’s family are victims but so is Lisa’s family, her children, her husband, her siblings, and her mother. My heart breaks for them daily and I pray for peace for all of them. Lisa will close her eyes and go to sleep and no longer will she have to face with what she did, Bobby Jo’s family and Lisa’s family will serve life sentences. It’s sad and I realize that everyone is entitled to their opinion, I just ask that people have compassion for the one’s that are suffering, and Matt, I get that your an author and I get the whole “true crime” story, but I think that sometimes its very heartless and cruel when you speak before considering the effects that your words will have on the rest of the people who are still reaping what she’s sewn.
October 27th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Kate McCann will be next.
October 27th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
[...] bigswifty wrote an interesting post today on Lisa Montgomery: Guilty By Reason of SanityHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
October 27th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Rebecca, and Matt, correct me if I am wrong, her brother was in jail when this crime went down.
I had a little bit of bile when Matt said HALF siblings myself, but thats because my brothers and sisters are all the same to me. My steps, my half, my full. Different childhood I know. But I came from the Brady bunch thing. My sisters (officially step, but if you call them that to our faces we would probably slap you, my half, who is the baby born of my officially step father and birth mother, who also we would take turns bitch slapping if anybody called him anything but brother).
Alas though, there are different situations, mine was a good one.
October 28th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
I agree with MC in KC. I think they should put her in with women who don’t see their children.
November 1st, 2007 at 1:54 pm
As someone that was unwillingly forced by the defense to testify, I can only say thank god the jury used thier good sense and convicted her…AND gave her the death penalty. I know more about this situatio than I ever wanted to and am glad that this is one woman that will never walk the streets again.
March 19th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I´m so happy because of the jury´s resolution and she should have no mercy!!! after all the damage she caused and the fear she put in every citizem near the zone… death I suppose…
April 4th, 2008 at 10:23 am
I’m glad she got death because anything else in this country means there’s a possibility they might get out one day – sad but true. I’ve heard of people with life/no possibility of parole walking out! That’s crazy just kill them – I don’t want them walking out and maybe running into my children one day!
July 10th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I saw this staff at http://megaupload.name/
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I have not read your book but know from Lisa’s kids that she was not what she said in court. I just visited CJ, Chelsea and Kayla and the stories they told me…well not very nice. I do not want my daughter to die, but I dont want to see her out. I see so much of her mother in her. If you have not figured out by now, I am the absentee father. I am not proud that I left her and a big part of me says I am to blame. Thanks for reading this and maybe some day I will be able to read your book.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I don’t personally believe that the death penalty is punitive, it simply means that someone cannot be trusted to behave acceptably in human society. If ever there were someone who fit this description it’s Lisa. Someone who is capable of something like this, something that until now we would only associate with names like Mengele, is not someone capable of “rehabilitation”.
It’s the only responsible course of action for us to completely remove someone such as this from our society…