Deranged nurse escapes the death penalty as she admits to killing three ... trends now
A Pennsylvania nurse who administered lethal or potentially lethal doses of insulin to numerous patients avoided the death penalty after she pleaded guilty to three counts of murder.
Heather Pressdee, 41, was given three consecutive life sentences and another consecutive term of 380-760 years behind bars during a hearing in Butler, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.
When one of her lawyers asked her why she was pleading guilty, Pressdee replied, 'Because I am guilty.'
She played a role in the deaths of at least 17 patients who lived in five health facilities in four counties between 2020 and 2023, prosecutors said.
The 22 overall victims ranged in age from 43 to 104. Coworkers often questioned Pressdee's conduct and said she frequently showed disdain for her patients and made derogatory comments about them, authorities said.
Heather Pressdee, 41, was given three consecutive life sentences and another consecutive term of 380-760 years behind bars during a hearing in Butler, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh
Pressdee, who could have faced a death sentence, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and 19 counts of attempted murder.
She initially was charged in May 2023 with killing two nursing home patients and injuring a third.
Further investigation led to dozens of more charges against her. During a February hearing in which she argued with her attorneys, she indicated that she wanted to plead guilty.
Pressdee said little as she entered her pleas, responding to most questions with a single word.
The plea hearing was expected to last through Friday because several people wanted to give victim impact statements, officials said.
Some who spoke in court Thursday told Pressdee that she had wrongly tried to play God, noting that although some of her victims were elderly or very ill, none were ready to die.
Pressdee didn't look at the speakers or react to their comments, even when one shouted
