Woman charged in kidnapping may plead insanity

McGee

A Wiregrass woman charged with kidnapping and carjacking in what police say was a bizarre plot to lure a couple to south Alabama in order to abduct their children could plead insanity.

The attorney for Melissa Lynn Mione McGee notified a federal judge recently that her client may use an insanity defense during her upcoming trial, set for November in Dothan. Defendants considering an insanity plea are required by law to notify the court in advance.

McGee and two men were arrested June 7 after police responded to an Amber Alert issued when a couple was assaulted and three small children were abducted. According to a federal complaint, McGee is accused of masterminding a plan to lure a couple to the Wiregrass for the purpose of abducting their children (ages 2, 1 ½ and 2 ½ months). Also arrested were Westly Rogers, 24, and Joshua Gilley, 25.

According to the indictment, “McGee asked Rogers and Gilley to help her take the children away from their mother by force. Rogers and Gilley physically assaulted the children's mother and her boyfriend, and removed them from the vehicle in which the children were riding. Rogers and Gilley took the vehicle with the children in it and drove away.”

The children were later recovered unharmed.

McGee’s attorneys have also asked a judge to suppress statements McGee made to investigators and evidence collected from her home because she may not have had the mental capacity to know what it meant to waive her Miranda rights.

“Though allegedly advised of her Miranda rights prior to questioning, because of her mental limitations, McGee had no knowledge of the rights she was waiving and subsequently did not provide a knowing and voluntary statement. Therefore, the defense respectfully requests the statement(s) be suppressed,” states the motion, filed by appointed federal defenders Aylia McKee and Nicole Ramos.

The motion to suppress states that McGee made statements to the police that could implicate her in the crimes. The motion also states police seized a computer, a camera, seven cell phones, two life-like baby dolls and a pink sweatshirt from McGee’s home.

A hearing on the motion to suppress is set for October in Montgomery.