The Shelby County mother accused of stabbing her four children to death last year has been declared “mentally defective.”
That determination was made by a medical expert in the case of 29-year-old Shanynthia Gardner. That means her attorney can use a not guilty by reason of insanity defense.
Gardner faces four counts of first degree murder. The stabbings happened in the family’s southeast Shelby County apartment complex on July 1st, 2016.
The victims were her 4-year-old son, 3-year-old daughter, 2-year-old daughter, and 5-month-old baby. The youngest was found in her car seat.
Gardner’s 7-year-old son escaped from the apartment and ran to neighbors for help.
