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Woman accused of killing son pleads guilty in court

AP
Saturday March 02, 2002

The Associated Press 

 

REDWOOD CITY — A judge suspended criminal proceedings in the case of a Minnesota obstetrician accused of killing her 13-year-old son after the woman blurted out in court Friday that she wanted to represent herself and plead guilty to charges she stabbed the boy to death. 

Donna Anderson, 48, made the statements at the beginning of a hearing in the courtroom of San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Stephen Hall. The judge did not accept entry of Anderson’s guilty pleas and instead ordered another hearing to appoint two doctors to examine the woman to assess her mental status. 

Anderson had previously claimed a child pornography ring may be funding her defense against her will and is not allowing her access to a fair trial. 

During an interview Thursday with two San Francisco Bay area media outlets, Donna Anderson recited a rambling list of names, her work history and vague allegations. She refused to answer any questions and did not mention her son’s name in the prepared statement she read. 

Prosecutor Steve Wagstaffe said the woman’s statement’s Friday brought a quick end to the proceedings which were to resume Tuesday. Anderson was seeking attention for her case, Wagstaffe said. 

“Two days ago she was blaming some pornography ring for everything that’s happened and today she’s pleading guilty to two counts,” Wagstaffe said. 

Anderson is being held in the San Mateo County jail’s medical wing on charges she stabbed her son, Stephen Burns, to death.