'Hiccup Girl' Makes Headlines Yet Again For Murder Trial: From Oddity To Criminal Mastermind Jennifer Mee [VIDEO & REPORT]

By Jobs & Hire Staff Reporter | Sep 17, 2013 11:07 PM EDT

TEXT SIZE    

Jennifer Mee - famously known for being 'Hiccup Girl' - is making headlines once again, but this time it's not for her oddity but for being charged on a murder trial, CBS News reported Tuesday.

'Hiccup Girl' Jennifer Mee, who gained popularity back in 2007 for her oddity of incessant hiccuping has been charged for first-degree murder trial.

CBS News reported that Mee's attorneys have already chosen a jury of 12 and an additional four alternatives, adding that the trial, under Pinellas County Judge Nancy Moate, is to wrap up at the end of the week.

Jennifer Mee scored received national attention when she was still a teenager for her prolonged hiccups of up to 50 a minute. Videos of her attempting to appease the condition, including some showing how she tried several home remedies and how she talked to medical specialists, gained a lot of attention. Fortunately, the hiccups stopped on their own and she was made to appear on a number of TV shows.

However, instead of being remembered as 'Hiccup Girl,' Jennifer may be a few steps away from being called a criminal mastermind.

Charged with first-degree murder in Shannon Griffin's dead, the now-22-year-old woman is to go on trial as many recounts and evidences pointed out that Mee lured Griffin to a St. Petersburg home, pretending that she was buying marijuana. Instead, two of Jennifer's friends robbed the victim at gunpoint and even shot him several times after struggling, station reports said.

According to the investigators, 'Hiccup Girl' had accepted Griffin's friend request on a social networking site five or six days prior to the robbery, but it is still unclear whether the victim recognized her as the famous girl, who scored popularity because of her oddity.

CBS News reported that Jennifer's co-defendant, Laron Raiford, 23, was already sentenced in August to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder. Raiford was reportedly the first in the three suspects to stand trial.

Prosecutors said 'Hiccup Girl' played an active role in the crafting of the robbery, which even led to murder, and under Florida law, people who have committed a serious felony can be convicted of murder.

Meanwhile, Mee's attorney, John Trevena, said his client suffered from Tourette's syndrome, claiming that the hiccups were one symptom of the disorder and he is willing to mention that during the trial. Tourette's is a neurological disorder that can cause involuntary movements and speech problems.

"It won't be used as a direct cause for what occurred but it might help explain her errors in judgment and her often thoughtless response to law enforcement," said Trevena, who claimed 'Hiccup Girl' did not take active part in the robbery.

Trevena added that Jennifer Mee was also diagnosed with schizophrenia, which he also plans to explain to the jury.

If convicted, Mee is to face life in prison without the chance of parole.

pre post  |  next post
More Sections