MALONE — The state’s highest court denied an appeal from a Bangor woman convicted in 2001 of killing her daughter and trying to murder her son.
Brenda J. Snyder, 40, has no more appeals left and will continue to serve 50 years to life for the murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie Judware, and for trying to kill her 3-year-old son, Jonathan Judware.
She was convicted in Franklin County Court on 13 counts, including second-degree murder, assault and reckless endangerment for smothering Lisa to death and interrupting Jonathan’s breathing.
Her repeated actions since their births ended in Lisa’s death on Jan. 12, 1996, and severely endangered the boy.
In January, judges in the Third Judicial Department of the State Appellate Division denied Snyder’s appeal, in which she had charged, among other things, that there was insufficient evidence to show she harmed her kids and that she did not get a fair trial.
She appealed that decision to the New York State Court of Appeals, seeking a review of the lower court’s ruling.
But the high court denied her motion without comment Monday.
“That’s the end. She has exhausted her appeals, and the sentence stands,” District Attorney Derek Champagne said Tuesday.
He credits Glenn MacNeill, whom he recently promoted to chief-assistant-district attorney, with the successful outcome.
“He put in an extraordinary amount of time on this appeal, not just on the legal issues but just with the sheer volume of the transcript and exhibits,” the DA said. “We’re very pleased with the court’s decision.”
The prosecution said Snyder repeatedly suffocated the toddler and her brother into unconsciousness and sought medical treatment so the family could continue to collect $1,300 a month in disability benefits.
The children were repeatedly hospitalized for breathing problems, and those incidents typically occurred when Snyder was the only person present.
Medical personnel became suspicious when they sometimes saw blood around the children’s noses or mouths.
Champagne said he frequently thinks about Lisa Marie and has visited her grave in North Lawrence a few times since her death.
“We hear from the nurses and other health-care providers who were treating her and her brother and attempting to help their family,” the DA said.
“I’ve never heard from anyone in her family,” he said, including Douglas Judware, Lisa Marie’s father.
“She’d be in high school or graduating by now,” Champagne said.
Email Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com
