Monica McCarrick

Background

Monica McCarrick was a 29-year-old mother. Her twin daughters were Tori and Lily Ball, and both were 3 years old. Monica McCarrick pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. Her attorney told the courtroom that her client was suffering from paranoid delusions and believed her daughters were going to be enslaved and raped. Her mother detailed her daughter's troubled childhood and history of mental illness during her testimony.

The offence

Monica McCarrick used a sword to kill her twin daughters, Tori and Lily Ball, while the twins were strapped into their high chairs. The twins died of multiple stab and slash wounds from a samurai sword. The daughters were found dead near the door of Monica McCarrick’s burning apartment, and they had been propped against the front door of the apartment. Investigators said the head of one of the girls had almost been decapitated, and the other suffered multiple stab wounds to the stomach.

After the killings, Monica McCarrick attempted suicide by cutting herself and setting her apartment on fire. She had self-inflicted stab wounds, including a self-inflicted sword wound to the throat.

Investigation

Investigators did not know a motive for the double murder. Fairfield police said it appeared to be a murder-suicide and that there was no evidence that anyone else was involved. Fairfield police also said the doors and windows were locked from the inside.

Authorities said Monica McCarrick set her apartment on fire before passing out from her wounds. Neighbors reported smoke coming from her apartment and tried to break into the apartment.

Andre Douglas told the Reporter: "Once I actually got past her room there was a sword, a bloody katana-style Japanese fighting sword, in the hallway and a bottle of pills,"

Andre Douglas said:

Neighbors also said: "There was some sort of blockage there and wouldn't open all the way," and: "When the first guy tried to kick in the door it actually opened a little bit," and: "And I could feel the heat and it actually was so hot it pushed me back."

A Fairfield police lieutenant, Darren Moody, said: 'We have no evidence that anyone else was involved,' and 'The doors and windows were locked from the inside.'

Arrest

Monica McCarrick was arrested on suspicion of murder, two counts of child abuse resulting in death, and one count each of arson and destruction of evidence. She was to be booked at Solano County Jail after being treated at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek for non-life-threatening injuries. Police reported that she would be booked into the Solano County Jail on homicide and arson charges after she was released from the hospital.

She made her first court appearance shackled to a wheelchair and wrapped in bandages.

Trial

A Solano County Superior Court jury found that Monica McCarrick was sane when she used a sword to kill the 3-year-old twins, Tori and Lily Ball, on Oct. 10, 2010, according to the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. The jury convicted Monica McCarrick on June 15 of two counts each of first-degree murder and assault on a child causing death.

The jury denied her insanity plea after her meth use was revealed.

Sentencing

On October 3, 2012, Monica McCarrick was sentenced to two life terms in prison.

Before sentencing, Monica McCarrick apologized on the stand expressing her "deepest sorrow" for the 2010 incident. She told the courtroom and the father of her children: "I feel really bad," "I pray for all of you every day and I wish there was something I could do to ease the pain for