Horsham Woman Accused of Killing Son with Belt Opts for Judge Trial
Horsham, PA – Ruth DiRienzo-Whitehead, a 51-year-old woman, has chosen to forego a jury trial and instead have her fate decided by a judge in Montgomery County. DiRienzo-Whitehead is facing charges of first-degree murder for allegedly strangling her 11-year-old son with a belt in April of last year.
On the night of April 10, DiRienzo-Whitehead’s husband discovered their son unresponsive and his wife missing. Police later found that DiRienzo-Whitehead had driven her Toyota Highlander into the ocean in Cape May. After the car stopped running, she walked to Wildwood Crest, where she was picked up by authorities.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, DiRienzo-Whitehead confessed to detectives that she didn’t want her son to experience financial hardship in the future. Her lawyer argues that she was in the midst of a psychotic episode due to a deterioration of her mental health at the time of the incident.
Despite concerns about her mental capacity, DiRienzo-Whitehead has been deemed competent to stand trial. Her bench trial is scheduled to begin on February 15th before Montgomery County Judge William Carpenter.
It is a heartbreaking case that has shaken the community of Horsham. The decision to waive a jury trial implies that DiRienzo-Whitehead’s defense team believes presenting her case to a judge may result in a more favorable outcome. The judge will now bear the responsibility of examining the evidence and determining the appropriate course of action.
The tragic circumstances surrounding the death of a young boy will undoubtedly weigh heavily on the judge’s final decision. Regardless of the outcome, this case serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from untreated mental health issues.
In conclusion, Ruth DiRienzo-Whitehead has chosen to have her fate determined by a judge in Montgomery County rather than face a jury trial. Accused of killing her son with a belt, she now awaits her bench trial, scheduled to commence on February 15th. The prosecution will present evidence demonstrating DiRienzo-Whitehead’s alleged actions, while her defense will argue that her mental health was severely compromised at the time of the incident. This devastating case highlights the importance of addressing and treating mental health issues to prevent tragedies like these from occurring.