Woman to stand trial in baby ripped from womb case

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) - A Washington state woman accused of fatally stabbing a pregnant woman and cutting the woman's nearly full-term baby from her womb has been ruled competent to stand trial.

Benton County Superior Court Judge Robert Swisher issued his ruling Tuesday in the case of Phiengchai Sisouvanh Synhavong (PEE'-en-chay SIS'-oo-vahn SIN'-ha-vahng) of Kennewick. The 25-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree murder in the June 2008 death of Araceli Camacho Gomez.

Eastern State Hospital psychologist Randall Strandquist testified that during the defendant's 15-day stay, she was "clear in thought and speech" when she thought doctors and staff weren't watching.

The baby survived the attack and is being raised by his father and older siblings.

---

Information from: Tri-City Herald, http://www.tri-cityherald.com