Fisher v. State

Facts

The defendants Mary Utley (mother), Rose Mary Fisher (older sister), and Frank Scarpola (Rose Mary’s boyfriend) lived with victims Rita Fisher (9) and Georgia Fisher (15) in Baltimore County. Over an extended period, the defendants subjected the children to severe physical abuse, including beatings, being tied up, and being locked in a small basement area called “the hole” for days with minimal food and water. In the days before Rita’s death, she was tied up, gagged, forced to sleep on a wooden floor in a specific position, and deprived of adequate food and water. On June 25, 1997, Rita was found blue and unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at Johns Hopkins Hospital, with the medical examiner determining she died from dehydration and malnutrition resulting from abuse and neglect. Her body showed numerous signs of physical abuse, including bruises, abrasions, rib fractures, and ligature marks on her wrists and ankles. Georgia was admitted to Northwest Hospital Center the next day, described as “frightened, emaciated, malnourished, bruised, and scarred.” At trial, Georgia testified extensively about the abuse she and Rita endured. All three defendants testified, each attempting to shift blame to the others.