Grandmother to face capital murder charge in girl's running death

[joeybee12]

GADSDEN, Ala. -- Alabama prosecutors say they are filing a capital murder charge, which carries the possibility of the death penalty, against a grandmother accused of running her 9-year-old granddaughter to death as punishment for eating chocolate.

Etowah County authorities announced the decision Thursday during a bond hearing for 46-year-old Joyce Garrard. A prosecutor called her the "drill sergeant from hell."

Authorities say Savannah was forced to run for three hours before she collapsed. They say the grandmother became angry when Savannah ate chocolate, which the girl was not supposed to eat because of a medical condition. Savannah was also allegedly made to carry about 10 pounds of wood while running, according to new information revealed at the hearing, Alabama's13.com reported.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/01/10550273-grandmother-to-face-capital-murder-charge-in-girls-running-death

[JI7]

1. the grandmother is 46 and granddaughter was 9