Woman Facing Stiff Prison Sentence is Sorry for Punching Feeble Daughter

WAUKEGAN, IL - A judge will soon decide on a prison sentence for a Waukegan woman who pleaded guilty to first degree murder on charges she killed her 11-year-old daughter after a punch to the stomach.

A sentencing hearing was held Friday in the case of Nicholette Lawrence, according to the Daily Herald. Lawrence was initially charged with 64 counts of murder after the death of her daughter Raashanai Coley and later agreed to plead guilty to one count.

She apologized in court, saying she was “not in her right mind” when she punched Raashanai on Spet. 3, 2014.

"I am truly sorry for what has happened," she tearfully said in court, the Herald reported. "I am taking full responsibility for my actions ... I'm sorry to the people who have children, have seen this and been traumatized by it."

Court testimony from Raashanai’s brother indicated the young girl slept in a locked closed next to her parents’ bed and that she was beaten with a belt.

Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day said the victim was 67 pounds when she died.

"This incident wasn't an accident, a slip, or a one-time event," Day said. "Her mother saw Raashanai as something less than human."

A defense attorney claimed Lawrence was abused as a child herself.

The judge could sentence Lawrence anywhere from 20 years to life in prison.

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