Trial postponed in death of pregnant WA woman

The aggravated murder trial of a woman accused of killing a pregnant woman to steal her baby has been delayed until March 30.

The defendant, 23-year-old Phiengchai Sisouvanh Synhavong (PEE'en-cha SIS'-oo-von SIN'-ha-vong), also agreed Thursday in Benton County Superior Court to give the prosecutor more time to decide whether to seek the death penalty. Prosecutor Andy Miller now has until Feb. 10 to make that decision.

Defense lawyer Dan Arnold says the defense requested the extra time to compile information about the Kennewick woman for the prosecutor to consider.

If Miller decides against seeking the death penalty, the woman would face life in prison without parole if convicted.

A 27-year-old Pasco woman, Araceli Camacho Gomez, was found dead June 28 in a Kennewick park from multiple stab wounds to her chest. Her male baby had been cut from her womb.

Prosecutors say the defendant tried to pass the newborn off as her own.

The baby remains hospitalized in serious condition.

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Information from: Tri-City Herald, http://www.tri-cityherald.com