A trial for a local woman accused of murdering her own baby ended Monday morning before it technically began, with the defendant pleading guilty in two separate cases filed against her.
Defense attorney Don Gutteridge said his client, 24-year-old Ashley Wright, wanted to proceed with a jury trial practically up until Monday morning, when the state and defense again took seats at the negotiating table. Wright was charged with one count of first-degree murder for causing the Jan. 4, 2011, death of her 20-month-old son, Timothy Long.
However, before jurors were brought to Comanche County District Court Judge Keith Aycock's courtroom to begin selection, Gutteridge convinced her to take the deal the state was willing to offer instead of taking a case involving a child victim to trial.
Wright pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder, but she also pleaded guilty to another count of child abuse, which was filed after the investigation into Long's death revealed Wright had also physically abused her daughter and even blew marijuana smoke in the girl's face.

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