BOULDER, Colo. — Dynel Lane, who is accused of luring a pregnant Michelle Wilkins to her Longmont home with a Craigslist ad for baby clothes before stabbing and cutting the unborn baby from her womb, pleaded not guilty in the attack Thursday.
Lane appeared before Boulder County District Court Judge Judge Maria E. Berkenkotter. Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett told he court he wanted a two-week jury trial.
Lane said she was willing to waive her right to a speedy trial because of a scheduling conflict and a trial date of Feb. 16 was set.
In a court brief filed in late April, the district attorney’s office said Lane spent about one hour inside her Longmont home with Wilkins before luring the pregnant woman to the basement, where she attacked her with a lava lamp and cut Wilkins’ baby from her womb.
The brief says Lane first went after Wilkins on March 18 with her hands before breaking the lava lamp over Wilkins’ head.
The brief alleges Lane stabbed Wilkins in the neck with the broken lamp, then choked and tried smothering Wilkins with a pillow. When Wilkins lost consciousness, prosecutors allege Lane used a knife to cut open Wilkins and remove the baby girl.
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Wilkins, 26, was responding to an ad on Craigslist for baby clothes. Prosecutors allege Lane took the baby upstairs and placed her in a bath tub.
Lane then allegedly took the unborn fetus to Longmont United Hospital, saying she had miscarriage. The baby did not survive. Prosecutors said Lane has admitted to attacking Wilkins.
After regaining consciousness, Wilkins called 911 and was rescued by first responders. She had surgery at Longmont United and spent a week there before she was released March 25.
An autopsy performed on the 34-week fetus showed no signs of life outside of the womb, the Boulder County Coroner’s Office said. There was also no evidence of trauma or injuries.
Lane, 34, was formally charged March 27 with eight felony counts, including attempted murder and unlawful termination of a pregnancy. She’s also charged with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and two counts of a crime of violence.
Lane is being held in the Boulder County jail in lieu of $2 million bail. She faces a maximum 48 years in prison on the attempted murder charge and 32 years on the charge of unlawful termination.
Wilkins family spokesman Michael Perini said the family is relieved that things are moving forward and a trial date has been set.
Michelle was not in court Thursday but she is in the area and back in the state for the first time since March 18th. She’ll be here until early next week. She is spending time with friends and visiting the first responders who helped save her.