for parole for at least 10 years, for the second-degree murder of her newly-born granddaughter. The child was found buried in a garbage bag in a flower bed in the woman’s garden. An autopsy report showed the cause of death was asphyxiation by strangulation.
Imogene Souliere, a registered nurse, had helped her 19-year-old daughter deliver the baby. Renee Souliere had kept her pregnancy a secret from her mother. Renee’s roommate telephoned Mrs. Souliere, saying only that her daughter was sick and bleeding. When she arrived at her daughter’s apartment, Mrs. Souliere discovered Renee was in labour.
The six and a half pound girl was described at the trial as a healthy baby. However, several hours after the birth Mrs. Souliere left her daughter’s apartment with the child, saying that she was taking her to the hospital. She telephoned later to say that the baby had died on the way and she warned the two young women not to say anything. Roommate Bonnie Johnson subsequently informed the police and testified for the prosecution at the trial.
Crown Attorney, Bob Morris, told the jury that Mrs. Souliere was “highly religious, ultra-moral and felt disgrace at the birth of an illegitimate child.”
