New Tampa Mom Serving Life For Fatally Shooting Her 2 Children Appeals Her Sentence

NEW TAMPA — It was a case that shocked Tampa Bay residents and received widespread national media attention. Now, a former New Tampa woman serving two life sentences in prison after being convicted of killing her two teenage children in 2011 is appealing her case based partly on the extensive news coverage she said made it impossible to seat an impartial jury.

Julie Schenecker, 61, has filed her own appeal for a new trial, citing more than 20 reasons why she did not receive a fair trial.

Among them, Schenecker is arguing that her public defenders inadequately represented her during her May 15, 2014, trial by failing to effectively argue her plea of not guilty by reason of insanity and not calling witnesses that would have substantiated her plea. Her insanity defense was ultimately rejected by the jury.

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She also claims the extensive news coverage tainted the jury pool and maintains the trial should have been moved out of Hillsborough County.

Schenecker was found guilty of shooting and killing her two children, Calyx, 16, and Beau, 13, at their Tampa Palms home.

At the time of her arrest, she told police that she killed her children because they were being "mouthy."

She later recanted and blamed her actions on a history of mental instability. She was taking antidepressants and mood stabilizers at the time of the shooting.

Hillsborough County 13th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michelle Sisco has scheduled a hearing on the appeal for March 10 and appointed a new public defender to represent Schenecker.

Last week, Schenecker was transferred from the Lowell Correctional Institution Annex in Marion County, which has been her home for the past eight years, to the Orient Road Jail to prepare for the hearing.

In a statement, Hillsborough County Public Defender Julianne Holt said she's optimistic that the jury's verdict will stand.

“I’m confident the work we did was good work. And I think the testimony of my attorneys will clearly show how much work and effort went to the defense of Ms. Schenecker," Holt said.