Woman Suspected of Killing her Mother in Woodland Hills May Face Death Penalty

A 25-year-old woman charged with fatally shooting her mother in Woodland Hills nearly a year ago was ordered today to stand trial in a case in which she could face the death penalty.

Laura Purviance is charged with murder in her mother's shooting death on Feb. 13, 2013, in older woman's home in the 5600 block of Mason Ave.

The murder charge includes a special circumstance allegation of murder while lying in wait, which was added before today's hearing began.

Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to seek the death penalty.

Caroline Purviance, 61, was a special education teacher in the William S. Hart Union School District in Santa Clarita. Her body was found about 8:20 p.m. on Feb. 14.

Purviance was arrested Feb. 22 by Oregon state troopers at the Valley of the Rogue rest area along Interstate 5, about 13 miles north of Medford, Ore., and booked four days later by Los Angeles police.

She is due back in Van Nuys Superior Court Feb. 18 for arraignment.

--City News Service