Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Nicole Virzi, a doctoral student accused of brutally murdering her friend’s six-week-old baby, Leon Katz, and injuring his twin brother. The Allegheny District Attorney’s Office announced Friday its intention to seek the death penalty for the 30-year-old woman following the tragic incident at the baby’s Pittsburgh home in June.
Virzi is accused of causing fatal injuries to Leon, including severe damage to the skull that led to multiple brain bleeds. At the time, she was caring for the twins while their parents, Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts, were at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh with Leon’s twin brother, Ari, who had also suffered injuries now attributed to Virzi.
The prosecution claims that Virzi tortured Leon to death“The defendant committed the murder while in the commission of a felony. The crime was committed by means of torture. The defendant has a significant history of convictions for felony crimes involving the use or threat of violence against the person. The victim was a child under the age of 12,” prosecutors said.
Virzi had been considered a “trusted friend” by the babies’ parents, who left her in charge of the children while they dealt with Ari’s health crisis. US Mirror Virzi said that while she was preparing a baby bottle in the kitchen, she heard screams and when she returned she found that Leon had allegedly fallen out of his hammock. She immediately called 911.
However, medical professionals contradicted her account. One doctor told investigators that “the injuries sustained by both twins are consistent with those that occurred as a result of child abuse, as these are injuries inflicted that are not natural or accidental,” according to court documents.
David Shrager, Virzi’s attorney, has maintained her innocence and said she is devastated by Leon’s death. “If there was one thing I would want to convey, it would just be the absolutely horrible pain she is feeling,” Shrager said. “Those were her close friends.”
Despite his plea of innocence, Virzi faces charges of murder, child endangerment and aggravated assault. A GoFundMe page set up to support grieving parents describes how Leon was “tragically killed under horrific circumstances” and acknowledges that a “trusted family friend” has been taken into custody. The fundraising page adds: “Leon will always be remembered as a happy, smiling, goofy little boy. His untimely and tragic death has deeply affected the Pittsburgh community.”