The Tragic Incident and Its Aftermath

• 🚨 A 14-year-old, Carly Gregg, shot her mother, Ashley Smiley, three times and also shot her stepfather, Heath Smiley, in the shoulder.
• 💡 The incident was sparked after Carly's mother discovered THC vape pens and an old iPad (referred to as a 'burner phone') in Carly's room, leading to a confrontation.
• 📞 The stepfather's 911 call revealed his raw pain and shock upon finding his wife, with his voice so high-pitched the dispatcher initially thought he was a woman.
• 📹 Home surveillance video showed Carly sneaking with a gun behind her back before the shooting, and later returning with the gun still concealed.

Deception and Luring

• 📱 After the shooting, Carly used her dead mother's phone to text her stepfather, Heath, luring him home by asking, "Will you be home honey?"
• 💬 Carly then texted friends, asking one if they were "squeamish around dead bodies" before leading them to her mother's body in her bedroom.
• 🚫 When a friend offered to call 911, Carly declined, and later told another friend, "it was too late" after being warned not to harm herself or others.

Defense Arguments and Mental State

• ⚖️ Defense attorney Kevin Camp argued for a mental defect, suggesting Carly suffered from bipolar disorder and was in a dissociative state.
• 🧠 Camp cited Carly's history of cutting issues, medication changes (Zoloft to Lexapro), and diary entries as evidence of underlying mental health struggles.
• 👨‍⚖️ The defense's expert, Dr. Clark, testified that Carly experienced a dissociative state and blacked out, though he admitted his opinions were hypotheses.

Prosecution's Stance and Expert Opinions

• 🎯 Prosecutor Kathryn White Newman contended that Carly's actions, such as luring her stepfather and telling friends not to call 911, demonstrated she knew right from wrong.
• 🌿 Dr. William [__], a toxicologist, explained that THC rewires a developing brain and can lead to dissociative disease and psychosis, especially in teenagers.
• ❌ Psychologist Karen Stark strongly argued against a dissociative state, stating Carly was "very aware of what she's doing" and was an "angry teenager" who knew right from wrong.

Verdict and Legal Implications

• 🧑‍⚖️ The jury ultimately found Carly competent to stand trial and not insane, rejecting the mental defect defense.
• 🎭 Carly's behavior in court, including giggling during the trial, was noted as potentially damaging evidence, though her defense attorney claimed she cried during gruesome photo presentations.
• 📜 The case highlights the complex debate surrounding mental illness, drug use, and criminal intent in juvenile cases, with the defense filing a motion for a new trial and planning an appeal.