Pregnant woman slaying suspect to remain in custody
KANSAS CITY, Missouri (CNN) -- A Kansas woman accused of strangling a pregnant acquaintance and cutting the 8-month-old fetus from her womb will remain in custody pending trial, a federal magistrate ruled Thursday.
Defense attorneys for Lisa Montgomery did not contest a prosecution request that she remain in federal custody in Leavenworth, Kansas, at the hearing before U.S. Chief Magistrate John T. Maughmer.
Montgomery, 36, faces a federal charge of kidnapping resulting in death in the December 16 slaying of Bobbie Jo Stinnett, 23, who died at her Skidmore, Missouri, home. (Montgomery arrested)
Prosecutors allege Montgomery strangled her and cut the fetus from her womb, then represented the baby as her own in her hometown of Melvern, Kansas.
The baby was recovered December 17 by authorities and is in good condition with her father, Zeb Stinnett. She has been named Victoria Jo. (Dad united with girl)
Montgomery has confessed to the crime, according to the FBI. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty against her.
Montgomery wore glasses, an orange jail jumpsuit and chains when she appeared Thursday before Maughmer. She spoke so softly that at one point the judge asked her to speak up.
Montgomery and Stinnett apparently knew each other for more than a year, as they were both interested in rat terrier dogs.
But authorities said Montgomery used a fictitious name to contact Stinnett through an online chat room and express interest in the dogs, which the Stinnetts bred and sold.
Montgomery allegedly obtained directions to Stinnett's home and visited her there.
Montgomery also waived her right to a preliminary hearing Thursday, meaning no evidence will be publicly presented before the trial.
Montgomery's case will now go before a federal grand jury. Grand jurors meet monthly, but it's not known when the case will be heard.
CNN's Keith Oppenheim contributed to the report.
