Mom Convicted Of Killing Baby Wants Mental Status Changed

SANTA ANA (AP) — A jury will soon decide the fate of a California mother who wants to be freed from medical supervision after claiming postpartum psychosis made her kill her infant son more than 20 years ago.

Closing arguments began Wednesday in a trial for Sheryl Lynn Massip, who is asking a jury to change her mental status.

If jurors find the 46-year-old former hairdresser has regained her sanity, she will no longer have to seek mental care and will be able to move and travel without the court's permission.

Massip was convicted of murder in 1988 for running over her 6-week-old son, but a judge set aside the verdict and declared her not guilty by reason of insanity.

Since then, she's been under court-ordered medical care but never served time in prison or a state mental hospital.

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