New attorneys for a Hixson woman facing a possible death penalty in Catoosa County, Ga., said they have not decided whether to seek a mental evaluation of Catherine Joann Goins.
Police said she lured a 30-year-old woman to a friend's house and killed her in order to steal her newborn.
After District Attorney Herbert "Buzz" Franklin opted for the death penalty, two attorneys from the Georgia Capital Defenders Office were assigned to the case. Jerilyn Bell and Crystal Bice appeared before Judge Ralph Van Pelt for a brief hearing on Friday afternoon at Ringgold.
Ms. Bell said she has filed 14 motions in the case. They will be heard May 26.
The defense attorney said she is concerned about public shackling of Ms. Goins. Judge Van Pelt asked the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office to come up with a security plan for the trial, which is still months away.
Family members of Natalie Roberts, who was killed last Sept. 19, were at the hearing.
Ms. Bell said the defense will have an investigator and a litigation specialist assigned to the case and may ask for expert help as well. She said the litigation specialist would focus on the penalty phase of the trial.