Justices uphold Kipp murder conviction, but order re-sentencing

ATLANTA - A Gainesville woman convicted in the death of her 18-month-old daughter and the mental abuse of two older siblings will be re-sentenced on the charges, even though the conviction was upheld Monday by the Georgia Supreme Court.

Justices unanimously upheld the conviction of Deanna Renee Kipp in the murder of 18-month-old Kaylee Kipp. The toddler was found dead in a crib in June 2011 at her mother's apartment on Riverside Drive.

Deanna Kipp was sentenced last year to four concurrent life sentences in prison for the murder. In addition, she was sentenced to 35 years on abuse charges.

In the high court's decision, the justices ruled there was sufficient evidence to find Kipp guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the murder and abuse.

Justices ruled, however, the trial court erred in sentencing because a defendant cannot be punished on multiple murder counts for a single homicide.

The case has now been remanded to the trial court for re-sentencing.

NOTE: Kip's live-in-boyfriend Stephen Clark West was convicted in a separate trial in August 2012 of malice murder and other crimes and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/11/267501