Daughter Sentenced in Mother's Murder
Posted By
Editor on Feb 16, 2010 8:37pm PST
Valaria Garnett, 54, of Los Angeles was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for killing and burning her own mother in her Renondo Beach home.
Police found the charred remains in the home of Margaret Garnett, then 69, over 7 years ago. Margaret was wheelchair bound and required a lot of attention and care which authorities have said was the reason for the crime. Valaria told police that the fire was started by one of her mother's cigarettes, which proved to be a lie after further investigation including a model recreation of the fire.
Valaria was a suspect almost immediately due to her strange behaviour. "She had a very bland reaction to her mother's death," recalled now-retired Arson Investigator Richard Birdsall. "She never once asked about her mom's condition."
Ventura Defense Attorney Robert Michael Helfend could have helped. With a commanding trial presence born of more than 2 decades of expeirience Mr. Helfend has taken many cases where the party charged with a heinous crime was set free.
Murder charges are a serious accusation and should not be taken lightly. Any criminal charges can permanently mar a person's reputation and should therefore be handled by a Criminal Defense Attorney who is willing to put forth an aggressive defense to see a not guilty verdict every time. No attorney will guarantee your freedom but reviewing the prior cases and Robert Helfend will set you mind at ease that you have the best on you side.