A PhD student accused of murdering her friend’s six-week-old baby has been shocked by the prosecution’s decision to seek the death penalty if she is convicted.
Nicole Virzi, 29, is being held pending a pretrial conference, accused of murdering Leon Katz while she was babysitting him at the family’s Pittsburgh home in June.
His attorney, David Shrager, told DailyMail.com that he had discussed with Virzi the possibility of the state seeking the death penalty, but that he did not expect that to happen.
“I didn’t think this was going to happen,” he said. “Obviously, we had talked about it as a possibility… I knew it could happen.”
Virzi took the news “as well as you can expect,” he said, noting that “it was obviously very difficult news and not what we expected to happen.”
Police allege she is responsible for causing a fracture to Leon’s skull and several bleeds in the brain detected by a CT scan.
Virzi took the news “as best as you can expect,” he said, noting that “it was obviously very difficult news and not what we expected to happen.”
Despite the shock, Mr. Shrager said both he and his client are “confident in our defense of the case.”
“She hopes to have the opportunity to tell her truth,” he said.
Shrager said he alerted Virzi’s family as soon as he learned of the prosecution’s decision, describing it as another “difficult conversation.”
“But they remain positive,” he said.
Virzi’s family will be present at her next court appearance, scheduled for Sept. 13, as they prepare to “support their daughter fully and completely, 100 percent.”
“They have been very clear that they love their daughter and will support her,” he said.
His attorney, David Shrager, told DailyMail.com that he had discussed with Virzi the possibility of the state seeking the death penalty, but that he did not expect that to happen.
Nicole Virzi, 29, is being held pending a pretrial conference, accused of murdering Leon Katz while she was babysitting him at the family’s Pittsburgh home in June.
Police allege she is responsible for causing a skull fracture in baby Leon and several brain bleeds detected by a CT scan. She is also accused of injuring Leon’s twin brother, Ari, who survived.
Court documents filed last week show the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty against Virzi.
The statement, which sets out the reasons for seeking the death penalty, says: “The defendant committed the murder while committing a serious crime. The crime was committed by means of torture.”
Virzi was a “trusted friend” of the babies’ parents, Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts, who cared for the twins during their college breaks.
Virzi was a “trusted friend” of the babies’ parents, Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts, who cared for the twins during their college breaks.
Police allege she told officers she had gone into the kitchen to get a bottle for one of the twins when she suddenly heard screaming. When she returned, she said the baby had fallen out of his bouncer. She then called 911.
She detected an injury in Ari’s groin area, notified his parents, and continued to care for Leon while Ari was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for evaluation.
According to court documents, a doctor told investigators that “the injuries sustained by both (twins) are consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse, as they are inflicted injuries that are not natural or accidental.”
Virzi maintains his innocence.
According to court documents, a doctor told investigators that “the injuries sustained by both (twins) are consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse, as they are inflicted injuries that are not natural or accidental.”
Mr. Shrager said Virzi is trying to maintain a positive attitude in custody and handling himself as best as possible as he awaits his day in court.
“She’s using her time there productively and making the best of the situation,” he said. “Her parents… visit her frequently.”
Virzi is a PhD student focusing on behavioral medicine. According to her UC San Diego bio, her “research aims to explore the complex interplay between psychological factors (such as depression, stress, negative affect, and trauma) and critical health outcomes and behaviors.”
“I am particularly interested in exploring these relationships within female and trauma-exposed populations. By focusing on these relationships, my research aims to shed light on the particular challenges and opportunities for intervention within these vulnerable groups,” she said.
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