A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2021 murder of a pregnant woman whom he mistakenly believed was carrying his child.
Double Murder Conviction
Isaac Smith was sentenced Tuesday to two life sentences after being convicted of murdering 26-year-old Karli Short and her unborn baby.
Short was five months pregnant when she was found fatally shot in the head at a residence in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 13, 2021.
Motive Centered on Pregnancy
Prosecutors argued that Smith believed he was the father of Short’s unborn child and feared the pregnancy would disrupt his personal life and relationship with his longtime girlfriend.
They also said he worried about how the situation would affect his family.
However, a DNA test conducted before trial revealed that Smith was not the father of the unborn child.
Family Remembers Karli Short
During sentencing, Karli’s father, former NFL linebacker Brandon Short, spoke about his daughter’s excitement over becoming a mother.
Family members described her as a caring and compassionate person who loved Harry Potter and was affectionately known as “Tink” by loved ones.
Legacy Through Scholarship Fund
Following her death, Karli’s family established the Karli Short Better Tomorrow Scholarship Fund to help student survivors of gun violence who need financial assistance.
The family said they want Karli’s legacy to be remembered for her kindness and generosity rather than the tragedy that ended her life.
