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The San Diego woman charged with killing one baby twin and assaulting the other while visiting the newborn’s parents in Shadyside chose to waive her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.Nicole Virzi, a 29-year-old psychology doctoral student, was brought from jail to court for the proceeding and the courtroom was filled with family and friends of the parents of the twins, who were present as well.But the proceeding lasted only a minute as the defendant waived her right to this day in court. Her defense attorney says Virzi will plead not guilty at trial.”We already know what those allegations are. The heavy lifting in this case is going to be done at the Court of Common Pleas and that’s where we’ve moved this case to. We look forward to being able to litigate that issue along with all the other issues in this case,” said attorney David Shrager.”My client is also respectful of the pain, the heart-wrenching pain, that the family is going through. Those were her friends. And when we analyze the totality of the circumstances, she didn’t want to put them through that and have to hear everything. And that was the decision that she made. And we respect that. And that’s what we’re moving toward,” Shrager said.Virzi remains in the Allegheny County Jail. Her formal arraignment is set for Aug. 23. That’s when the case will be assigned to a judge and she’ll enter her plea.Authorities charge that Virzi is responsible for the severe skull fracture that took the life of 6.5-week-old Leon Katz last month. Police wrote in the criminal complaint that a CT scan showed a fracture to the left side of the head, as well as several brain bleeds.In the criminal complaint, police recounted that Virzi was babysitting infant Leon Katz inside the parents’ apartment in the 6000 block of Walnut Street in Shadyside while the parents had taken the baby’s twin brother to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh due to injuries to that twin’s genital area pointed out by Virzi.”The injuries sustained by both (twins are) consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse, as these are inflicted injuries that are not natural and not accidental,” a doctor informed detectives, according to the criminal complaint.Virzi told police she had gone into the family’s kitchen to get a baby bottle and heard the baby screaming. She told police that when she returned, the baby was on the floor and out of a bouncer seat.She called 911. She told police she was the one who observed the injury to the other twin earlier, and notified the parents.Virzi was staying in an Airbnb rental apartment in the 100 block of South Graham Street in Pittsburgh’s Friendship neighborhood, less than a mile from the twins’ parents’ home.Virzi indicated online that she’s a fifth-year PhD candidate at the University of California at San Diego clinical psychology program.She now faces trial on charges of homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children.
The San Diego woman charged with killing one baby twin and assaulting the other while visiting the newborn’s parents in Shadyside chose to waive her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.
Nicole Virzi, a 29-year-old psychology doctoral student, was brought from jail to court for the proceeding and the courtroom was filled with family and friends of the parents of the twins, who were present as well.
But the proceeding lasted only a minute as the defendant waived her right to this day in court. Her defense attorney says Virzi will plead not guilty at trial.
“We already know what those allegations are. The heavy lifting in this case is going to be done at the Court of Common Pleas and that’s where we’ve moved this case to. We look forward to being able to litigate that issue along with all the other issues in this case,” said attorney David Shrager.
“My client is also respectful of the pain, the heart-wrenching pain, that the family is going through. Those were her friends. And when we analyze the totality of the circumstances, she didn’t want to put them through that and have to hear everything. And that was the decision that she made. And we respect that. And that’s what we’re moving toward,” Shrager said.
Virzi remains in the Allegheny County Jail. Her formal arraignment is set for Aug. 23. That’s when the case will be assigned to a judge and she’ll enter her plea.
Authorities charge that Virzi is responsible for the severe skull fracture that took the life of 6.5-week-old Leon Katz last month. Police wrote in the criminal complaint that a CT scan showed a fracture to the left side of the head, as well as several brain bleeds.
In the criminal complaint, police recounted that Virzi was babysitting infant Leon Katz inside the parents’ apartment in the 6000 block of Walnut Street in Shadyside while the parents had taken the baby’s twin brother to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh due to injuries to that twin’s genital area pointed out by Virzi.
“The injuries sustained by both (twins are) consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse, as these are inflicted injuries that are not natural and not accidental,” a doctor informed detectives, according to the criminal complaint.
Virzi told police she had gone into the family’s kitchen to get a baby bottle and heard the baby screaming. She told police that when she returned, the baby was on the floor and out of a bouncer seat.
She called 911. She told police she was the one who observed the injury to the other twin earlier, and notified the parents.
Virzi was staying in an Airbnb rental apartment in the 100 block of South Graham Street in Pittsburgh’s Friendship neighborhood, less than a mile from the twins’ parents’ home.
Virzi indicated online that she’s a fifth-year PhD candidate at the University of California at San Diego clinical psychology program.
She now faces trial on charges of homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children.
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