MIAMI – The murder conviction and death sentence imposed on a Florida mother for the slaying of her young son known as "Baby Lollipops" have been thrown out by the state Supreme Court.
The justices ruled Thursday that prosecutors made improper and inflammatory statements during the trial of Ana Maria Cardona. She was sentenced to death in 2011 for the killing in 1990 of 3-year-old Lazaro Figueroa, who was wearing a T-shirt with a lollipop image when found dead by Miami Beach police. He had been badly beaten and weighed just 18 pounds.
Cardona was initially convicted and sentenced to die in 1992. The Supreme Court overturned the conviction because prosecutors failed to disclose key evidence to the defense.
The court's decision means Cardona is likely to face a third murder trial.
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