SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) – A Georgia woman convicted of killing her 20-month-old son has been sentenced to life in prison.
Judge Tammy Stoke sentenced Leilani Simon on Thursday to life with the possibility of parole, plus 10 years.
Simon was found guilty on all 19 counts against her on Oct. 25 in the death investigation of her son, Quinton Simon. This included counts of Malice Murder, Felony Murder and Making a False Statement.
Quinton Simon was reported missing on October 5, 2022. It wasn’t until six days later that Quinton’s mother Leilani was named as the only suspect in his disappearance and death.
On November 18, 2022, Quinton’s remains were found in a Chatham County landfill. Leilani was arrested three days later.
Leilani Simon’s sentence fell short of what prosecutors asked the judge to impose.
Special Assistant District Attorney Tim Dean urged Judge Stokes to show no mercy to Simon. He called for a life sentence without the possibility of parole, plus 65 years behind bars and a $17,000 fine.
During Thursday’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors focused on Simon’s behavior during the investigation and after her arrest, saying she implicated innocent people, was out drinking the night investigators announced the landfill search for Quinton’s body, and had a pen pal relationship with a convicted child molester while in jail.
The case’s lead detective took the stand once again, telling the judge Simon has not taken accountability.
”In all of these statements of hers that you’ve listened to, the interviews, things witnesses have told you she said, jail communications, and so forth, at any point, has she ever actually accepted responsibility for what she’s now been convicted of?” asked Dean.
“No she hasn’t,” replied Lead Detective Marian Lemmons.
Dean urged the judge to impose a strong sentence to send a message not only to Simon but also to society, noting this case has taken a heavy emotional toll on those involved.
There were only two options on the table for Leilani Simon and that was life in prison with or without the possibility of parole.
She had several family members testify on her behalf, painting a much different picture of her than what we saw throughout the investigation and the trial.
Simon’s family members remembered her as a loving and smart person- particularly in her childhood.
Her aunt testified about her love for her family, particularly her brother, Paul, and her stepfather recalling she could ace a test without needing to study.
But the testimony also revealed that Simon lived with her aunt for much of her childhood because her mother, Billie Jo Howell, was struggling with drug addiction.
Howell testified that she neglected Simon’s needs, and her brother’s, saying she deserved prison, but not forever.
“I failed her as a mom. I allowed addiction to take over my life at a young age. I still neglected your emotional needs. My decisions have made an impact on your life,” said Simon’s mother Billie Jo Howell.
“Drugs took Leilani and Quinton from us. Quinton will forever be in my heart, my thoughts, and loved by me. But his life, his body, his love will never be seen or fulfilled due to the influence of drugs. As for Leilani, her life will never be the same,” said Jackie Madden, Simon’s aunt.
Madden, who is Simon’s aunt, said she raised Simon for half her life.
Simon’s family, asked for her to receive a life sentence with the possibility of parole, which she ultimately received.
“I want her to have a chance one day to come out into the world, instead of just locking her up and throwing away the key,” said Thomas Howell, Simon’s stepfather.
Another aspect that was decided in court Thursday was the fate of Quinton Simon’s remains, which have been held by law enforcement for years at the request of Simon’s attorneys.
Simon told the court she wanted the remains to be released for burial, even though that could cause issues with testing them further should new technology become available.
That could be important in the appeal process. Simon has 30 days to file an appeal on the verdict.
There are three basic things that could happen from there: the appeal is denied, the court reverses the verdict, or they remand it, meaning Simon would get a new trial.
Copyright 2024 WTOC via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.