Tot sees ‘womb’ murderer get life
By ELIZABETH ROSNER and EMILY SAUL
The Bronx killer who cut the unborn child from her friend’s womb was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on Wednesday, while the toddler watched from the gallery.
“I just want to say that I’m so sorry,” Ashleigh Wade sobbed as she addressed the court in a plea for mercy. “There are no words to express how sorry I am. I’m sorry for hurting so many people.
“I wish I knew why. I wish I understood, but I don’t know why, and I try so hard.”
Wade, 24, slaughtered Angelikque Sutton on what was to be the victim’s wedding day, Nov. 20, 2015, stabbing her some 50 times before cutting the baby girl from her womb. Wade then claimed the infant was hers.
Baby Jenasis, who turns 2 Monday, miraculously survived and lives with her dad.
The tot had her hair in pigtails and toted a small pink backpack.
Her father, Patrick Bradley, held her in his arms during parts of the proceeding.
“Jenasis will tragically be scarred by her birth,” Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy said before handing down the sentence. “‘Where is my mommy? How did she die? When did she die?’ ”
Clancy called the attack “calculated, cunning and brutal,” dismissing defense attorney Amy Attias’ repeated assertions that Wade suffers from mental-health issues. “These actions were not impulsive, they were carefully planned and researched,” Clancy said.
“The cutting of the uterus with precision shows she studied how to kill Angelikque.”
Sutton’s father, Bishop William Sutton, said as he left court, “I’m just glad that we got justice.”