A Rogersville woman who was convicted for killing her 5-year-old daughter by forcing her to drink a lethal amount of grape soda is asking for a new trial.
Mary Vaughn and her husband, Randall Vaughn, pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of their daughter in December of 2014. They each received a 35-year sentence.
Officials said that on Jan. 1, 2012, the Vaughns forced Alexa Linboom to drink about 2.4 liters of soda and water over one to two hours as punishment. The massive liquid intake caused her brain to swell and herniate, and she died two days later.
Vaughn asked a judge for a new trial at a post-conviction hearing in Hawkins County Court Friday. She claims she had ineffective council and her statement was coerced.
