By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – A woman who pleaded guilty to killing her newborn son in 1998 and leaving his body in a suitcase has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Dana Deegan pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge. She admitting leaving her newborn boy alone in her Mandaree home for about two weeks, then putting his body in a suitcase and leaving it in a ditch.
Defense attorneys argued for a lighter sentence -- probation. They argued that Deegan already had three kids, and was NOT capable at the time of bringing up another.
US Attorney Drew Wrigley told reporters after the hearing that the sentence was appropriate.
"Today we had an expert in the courtroom who referred to this as 'neo-naticide," Wrigley told reporters. "The law recognizes another phrase -- it's called 'homicide.'"
US District Judge Daniel Hovland appeared to observers to be emotional as he handed down the 10 year sentence. That sentence followed federal sentencing guidelines.
Deegan begins her sentence May 30th.