A Colorado woman accused of tragically ending the lives of her two young children in December 2023 is fighting extradition from the United Kingdom, where she fled after the alleged incident.
Kimberlee Singler, 36, was apprehended by U.K. authorities on December 30, 2023, following accusations by Colorado officials that she killed her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, and injured her 11-year-old daughter. Singler's legal representative, Edward Fitzgerald, KC, known for his defense of Julian Assange, argued against her extradition, citing the European Convention of Human Rights. Fitzgerald contends that extradition would breach the convention because a conviction in the U.S. could result in life imprisonment without parole, an outcome not guaranteed in the U.K. system.
Singler faces grave charges, including four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of child abuse, and one count of assault. The prosecution, represented by Joel Smith, KC, alleges that the killings occurred amidst a heated custody dispute between Singler and her husband. Smith detailed the horrific nature of the alleged crimes, claiming Singler instructed her children to close their eyes before shooting and stabbing her two younger children. The surviving child reportedly witnessed the attack and sustained injuries to her neck.
Colorado authorities discovered compelling evidence at the crime scene, including spent shell casings, a blood-stained knife, and discarded sleeping pill bottles. The two deceased children were found together in bed. Initially, police responded to a burglary report from Singler's residence, which was later deemed unfounded.
Smith argued that the possibility of eventual clemency from a governor mitigates the harshness of a life sentence without parole. Conversely, Fitzgerald emphasized the stark difference in the application of such sentences between the U.K. and the U.S., highlighting the significantly higher number of individuals serving life sentences in the U.S.
Judge John Zani is anticipated to issue a ruling on Singler's extradition on January 24.
