Mother Accused of Throwing Children Off A Bridge So That They Will "Meet With God" Faces Murder Trial, and Chooses to Defend Herself in Court

In Louisiana, a 34-year-old mother is accused of a horrifying act, where she allegedly threw her two young children off the top of a bridge into a lake, resulting in the tragic death of her infant son and severe injuries to his 5-year-old brother. 

Shockingly, she has chosen to represent herself in her upcoming murder trial.

Ureka R. Black (pictured above), while appearing in Caddo District Court, asked the judge for the opportunity to act as her own counsel, a legal term known as "pro se." This decision came just hours before jury selection was set to begin. 

Judge Donald Hathaway, after ensuring that Black had carefully considered her choice, granted her request. However, he also ordered her attorney, Elizabeth Gibson of the Caddo Parish District Public Defender's Office, to remain on standby to assist Black throughout the trial.

Black's plea of not guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of attempted second-degree murder was based on the evaluations of two court-appointed psychiatrists who found her competent to stand trial.

As previously reported, law enforcement authorities allege that Black threw her children, 5-year-old Elijah Black and 10-month-old Joshua Black, off the Cross Lake bridge on the morning of Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. 

The incident was reported when a 911 call came in around 11:00 a.m. from an individual who saw a child floating in the lake near the bridge. A worker from a nearby yard crew noticed the infant floating face down in the water and immediately called the police.

Marine patrol officers rushed to the scene and found baby Joshua, who was unresponsive when they pulled him from the water. Despite attempts by Emergency Medical Services personnel to resuscitate him, the baby was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Elijah was found floating on his back and was pulled from the water shortly thereafter. He was responsive but suffered severe injuries. Elijah was quickly transported to LSU Oschner Health Shreveport with "life-threatening injuries," according to the police.

The surviving child played a crucial role in helping investigators identify his mother as the person responsible for the tragic event.

Elijah's account revealed disturbing details. 

He mentioned that it was his 5th birthday on that fateful morning, and his mother drove him and his baby brother to the bridge. According to his statement, his mother told him he had "germs," and she referred to the water below the bridge as "good water." She then pushed him off the top of the bridge. 

Shockingly, authorities believe Black tossed her children into the lake with the belief that they would "meet with God," as reported by Shreveport ABC affiliate KTBS-TV.

If convicted of the second-degree murder charge, Black faces a potential life sentence and an additional 50 years for the attempted second-degree murder charge.

In another shocking news, more than a year after a horrifying incident in which an Uber driver was shot while on duty, the victim's mother is taking legal action against the ride-hailing giant. See detailed story here.

[SOURCE]