The 49-year-old mother was sentenced to life in prison after she pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. The mom reportedly admitted to killing her own children by shooting them in the head inside their family home earlier. During the sentencing, several family members said they knew she had bipolar disorder and was undergoing mental health treatment at the time of the murders. The DA’s office was unable to answer whether the killings had anything to do with her children’s gender identities, who were transgender and non-binary siblings.
The 49-year-old mother from Pennsylvania, Krisinda Bright, was sentenced on Tuesday. Judge handed down the mandatory minimum of two life sentences, one for each count of murder. She was accused of fatally shooting 16-year-old Jeffrey Bright and 22-year-old Jasmine Cannady, who were transgender and non-binary siblings, according to reports.
The defendant was arrested in February after investigators said she shot and killed her children. The 49-year-old mother reportedly left the murder weapon on her dining room table, called 911 to confess and waited on the front porch for officers to arrive.
The responding officers found blood on her hands, arms and clothing. The woman reportedly told them that it was from her slain children. During an interview with investigators, the defendant reportedly admitted to shooting Cannady while she was in bed upstairs.
She then went downstairs and shot JJ in the face. When the mother realized JJ wasn’t dead, she grabbed another gun and shot her child in the head because she didn’t want the victim to suffer, according to reports.
According to reports, the mother reportedly told investigators that she purchased the shotgun weeks before the shooting ‘because she believed her kids were going to be taken away from her.’ But, authorities said that they were unable to find any reason why the mother believed the children would be taken.
During the sentencing, several family members said they knew she had bipolar disorder and was undergoing mental health treatment at the time of the murders. The DA’s office was unable to answer whether the killings had anything to do with her children’s gender identities. This story will be updated as new information become available.