Published: January 30, 2008 05:20 pm      

Defense: Fisher-Riza bipolar on day of chase

State argues she had stolen money in SUV when it crashed, killing infant daughter

An attorney for the woman accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in April that resulted in the death of her 9-month-old child argued the woman ran from police because she was bipolar.

Opening arguments for Aimee Andrea Fisher-Riza’s murder trial were heard Tuesday in Judge William C. Bosworth’s 413th District Court in Cleburne.

Prosecutors said she ran because she stole money from the department store where she worked.

Fisher-Riza, 36, faces charges of evading arrest and felony murder. She led Somervell and Johnson County officers on a 40 minute chase April 6 that ended in a crash in Alvarado. Her 9-month old daughter, Alexxus, was ejected and died.

“On April 6, 2007, Aimee Fisher was in a severe manic state of her bipolar disorder,” her attorney, Bill Mason, said in his opening argument. “She was psychotic, delusional and became paranoid, which are symptoms of psychosis.”

Mason said she thought the police were going to kill her. Fisher-Riza could not see what was going on behind her because the mirrors in her new black sport-utility vehicle had not yet been adjusted from the position the dealer put them in, he said.

Assistant District Attorney Martin Strahan said Fisher-Riza stole money from the Goody’s department store in Brownwood, which she managed, and that her reckless driving caused Alexxus’ death, who was sitting unrestrained in the front seat.

Strahan said Fisher-Riza stole between $28,000 and $30,000 from Goody’s and at the time of the chase had $9,000 in stolen money with her in the car, which is why she ran after police tried to stop her for speeding.

Strahan said jurors would probably see some video of the chase later and that they should be prepared to see some gruesome images of the crash scene.

“We’re here to ask for justice for Alexxus Riza, who was almost 10 months old at the time of the crash,” Strahan said.

Fisher-Riza cried as Strahan presented his argument to the jurors, but lifted her head as Mason argued in her defense.

Jury selection began at 10 a.m. Monday and lasted until 7 p.m., District Attorney Dale Hanna said.

“It was an unusually long selection process,” he said.