PHOENIX (AP) - The family of a Phoenix woman accused of fatally stabbing and partially dismembering her three young sons three months ago say she does not deserve the death penalty.
Octavia Rogers was indicted June 14 by a county grand jury in the deaths of 8-year-old Jaikare Rahaman, 5-year-old Jeremiah Adams and 2-month-old Avery Robinson. She has a tentative trial date of Feb. 16.
On Thursday, Rogers' mother Tanella McCoy said her daughter was a devoted mother who showed no signs of trouble before her sons' deaths. McCoy said both she and God have forgiven her daughter.
Rogers' brother Marquis Perkins said his sister loved her children and that it's hard to see her as she is now.
Family attorney Benjamin Taylor says the family hopes she does not receive the death penalty.
