Queens Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Father's Murder
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A Queens woman who claims her father sexually abused her for years, pled not guilty Thursday night to killing and mutilating him.
Brigitte Harris, 26, is being held without bail. Her lawyer says she will now have a 30-day mental health evaluation to see if she's fit to stand trial.
Harris is accused of asphyxiating and castrating her father, 55-year-old Eric Goodridge.
She had been at a Staten Island psychiatric hospital since shortly after her father was killed.
Harris' older sister, Carleen Goodridge, says she and her sister were molested and raped by their father for years. Goodridge says it happened until she was 12, but for her sister — the alleged sexual abuse went on until she was about 18 years old.
Harris' lawyer spoke about the allegations of abuse.
“Ms. Harris suffered for many years at the hands of her father, who was a monster; he was an animal,” said Harris’ attorney Arthur Aidala. “He treated her in a way that no one on the planet should be treated, let alone your daughter."
Eric Goodridge's body was discovered last month in Harris' apartment in the Rockaways bound and gagged.
If convicted of second-degree murder, Harris could face up to life in prison. She is due back in court September 26th.