Mom in beheading case pursuing insanity defense

A mentally ill woman accused of beheading her infant daughter is seeking an expert opinion about whether she was legally insane at the time of the incident.

De’asia Watkins, 21, appeared in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday, with her now-straight black hair mostly covering her face. She did not speak.

One of her attorneys, Norm Aubin, told Judge Charles Kubicki that the expert opinion is being sought “for the purpose of a not guilty by reason of insanity defense.” Watkins has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The next hearing is set for Jan. 28. It has not been decided who will evaluate her.

In August, Watkins was found competent to stand trial, meaning that through medication she can understand the court proceedings and assist in her own defense. She previously was found not competent, although two psychologists determined that with medication she eventually could be found competent.

Watkins is charged with aggravated murder in the March beheading of her 3-month-old daughter, Jayniah.