As prosecutors announced their intention to seek the death penalty against a PhD student accused of murdering one of her friend's newborn twins, the defendant's attorney said his client is taking the news of her potential execution "as well as can be expected."
Prosecutors filed their notice of intent to pursue the death penalty against Nicole Virzi in Allegheny County Court Thursday, according to records reviewed by the Lawyer Herald.
Records indicate Virzi, 29, has been charged with one count of criminal homicide, two counts of endangering the welfare of children, and three counts of aggravated assault, in connection with the death of 6-week-old Leon Katz and the physical attack of Leon's twin brother, Ari, at the Katz's Pittsburgh home in June.
She has since pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Virzi, a doctoral student of clinical psychology as part of San Diego State University and UC San Diego's joint doctoral program, was visiting the twins' parents in Pennsylvania when the alleged incident occurred.
Leon suffered from a skull fracture and several brain bleeds when he died, police said, citing a CT scan, according to WTAE-TV. Baby Ari endured injuries to the face, stomach and groin, police alleged, the Pittsburgh Gazette reported.
As a result, Virzi now faces the death penalty if convicted.
"I did not believe [it] was going to happen," her defense attorney, David Shrager, admitted to the Daily Mail Monday. "Obviously we discussed this as a possibility... I was aware it could."
Virzi is processing her potential fate "as well as can be expected," said Shrager, adding that the prosecution's bombshell was "obviously very difficult news and not what we were hoping was going to happen," but he is "confident" their defense is solid.
"She looks forward to having an opportunity to tell her truth," he said.
Virzi's family firmly supports her innocence.
"They have been very clear that they love their daughter and will stand by her," added Shrager.
Virzi is next scheduled for a Sept. 13 pre-trial hearing.
A motive remains under investigation.
