Thursday, August 13, 2009
A Hill County grand jury Wednesday indicted 32-year-old nursing student Debra Janelle Jeter in connection with the June slashing death of her 12-year-old daughter and the stabbing of her 13-year-old daughter.
Also Wednesday, an Itasca-based psychologist determined Jeter to be mentally competent to stand trial. The competency report was sealed by the court.
Jeter is charged with murder and attempted murder and has been held in the Hill County Jail in lieu of $1.5 million bail.
While she was found competent to stand trial, court documents state that “it would appear (Jeter) may have serious mental health/stability issues, including unstable and/or delusional behavior.”
Jeter had spent four days being treated at the DePaul Center after a May 21 suicide attempt at the Hillsboro house she shared with her two daughters and husband.
After her suicide attempt, which her daughters reportedly witnessed, Jeter’s husband filed a protective order against her.
The day after the order expired, Jeter picked up her daughters, 13-year-old Kiersten and 12-year-old Kelsey, and told them she had a surprise for them, sheriff’s officials have said.
Three hours later, Jeter called 9-1-1 from an abandoned ranch house off U.S. Highway 77 in rural Hill County and told dispatchers that she had just killed her two daughters.
When deputies arrived, Jeter held both of her hands in the air, and a knife rested on a nearby car. Kelsey was found dead in the bathroom. Kiersten, who was bloodied, was taken by helicopter to Parkland Hospital in Dallas.
The girls’ throats had been slashed, and Kiersten had been stabbed multiple times in the back while trying to protect her sister, investigators said.
Calls to Jeter’s attorney, Phil Weaver, were not returned.
equinn@wacotrib.com
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Comments
By onlyme
Aug 15, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this
She should get the same brutal treatment that she gave her girls. I hope the other girl and her father are able to get over this, can you imagine being viciously attacked by the one person you would never imagine doing this? Your own mother? I think the penalties should be stricter in situations like this, when the parent is the one who kills. I don't think she needs to be locked up and have the key thrown out, she needs death.
By shelly
Aug 14, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this
I can not belive this. what is this world coming to. my heart is ripping open with tears burning my face for the pain i feel for the father and daughter. this world is going mad. they knew something was going on that is why the father tried to protect them and i think the judge should have to answer for some of this. i know what this father is going through and the torture they are feeling, i pray that god gives him the strength to keep going and he does not blame himself for this.you cant look at the news anymore with out it being about a parent hurting their child anymore. we need to get back to being a community family again. we all need to pull together to help one another instead of turning our backs on each other. .......
By CS Native
Aug 14, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this
This is the best news I have hear all week! She is not freakin' crazy she is just sick!
By CountryRefuge
Aug 13, 2009 9:07 PM | Link to this
My heart breaks for Kiersten. Being a victim of the brutal assault this was will be so hard to come to terms with. I cannot imagine being able to go on with her life after this. My prayers for her father in both his recovery from this, and for the guidance in helping Kiersten's recovery. My prayers for Kiersten that she may find the resources to cope, heal, and become a survivor (vs. perpetual victim) of this.
By null
Aug 13, 2009 8:17 PM | Link to this
death
By qzy
Aug 13, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this
I'm not defending what this woman has done, but I can't help wondering if there could be some psychiatric "good-ol-boyism" going on. Of course they will say she is competent. To say otherwise would open DePaul up for a major lawsuit. I'm curious if the psychiatrist who examined her has any sort of tie with DePaul. Again, let me re-state that I am not defending her in any way. I wish the best for the little girl who survived, and pray that her wounds, both physical and emotional will heal.
By Jessica
Aug 13, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this
This is just a horrible story. I don't understnad what could posess a woman to be so evil towards 2 innocent children.
By Jessica
Aug 13, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
This is just a horrible story. I don't understnad what could posess a woman to be so evil towards 2 innocent children.
By mom
Aug 13, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this
Justice will not be done in hill county. The only county you can be found guilty of murder and walk away I have seen it happen more than once.
By null
Aug 13, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this
Cut all the bull about being competent or incompetent, lock her a## up and throw away the key
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