The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld a Forsyth County woman's 2021 malice murder conviction for the death of her elderly mother in December 2018.
The decision from the Supreme Court came on Wednesday following an appeal attempt from Amalia Ramirez, who was sentenced to life in prison for the death of Himilce Ramirez, 83. During her trial, Amalia was convicted on charges of malice murder, felony murder predicated on the exploitation of an elder person, felony murder predicated on neglect of an elder person,
exploitation of an elder person, and neglect of an elder person.
Amalia reportedly argued in the appeal that her conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence, claiming there was no evidence of malice. However, the Supreme Court disagreed with this claim, instead stating that the evidence presented in the case was sufficient.
Himilce died on Dec. 6, 2018. The affirmation from the Georgia Supreme Court said the initial evidence in the case found that Amalia was Himicle's sole caretaker. Additionally, Himilce was found with signs of severe neglect, including sepsis, necrosis, stage-four bedsores and more.
"Instead, law enforcement arrived at the home where Ramirez and Himilce lived in response to a suicide threat by Ramirez, who reported that she had nothing to live for and had taken pills to kill herself because her mother was dead," the Supreme Court ruling said.
The responding patrol officer noticed a foul smell inside the home, eventually leading to the discovery of Himilce's body.
Amalia reportedly told police she had quit her job two years prior to care for Himicle full-time.
"Ramirez also said that Himilce was bedridden and sometimes made noises indicating pain, but Ramirez did not know what type of pain Himilce was experiencing, did not think Himilce had any medical diagnoses, and did not take Himilce to the doctor or give her any medication," the ruling said.
Amalia argued in the appeal that the evidence provided only showed ordinary negligence, not malice murder, but the Supreme Court disagreed with that opinion.
"The jury was authorized to conclude that Ramirez caused her mother’s death with malice by allowing Himilce—a woman of advanced age under Ramirez’s exclusive care—to lay immobile and untreated for such a prolonged period until she died," the Supreme Court ruling said.
Amalia is currently being held in a Georgia State Prison on a life sentence.
The full ruling from the Georgia Supreme Court can be viewed here.
