Nicole Beecroft, sentenced to life in prison in 2008 for the stabbing death of her newborn baby, was back in Washington County District Court on Friday, seeking to have new evidence reviewed in her appeal.

Beecroft was a 17-year-old senior at Tartan High School when she gave birth alone in April 2007 in the basement of her mother's Oakdale home. She had been able to keep her pregnancy a secret, according to court documents, and even her mother did not know about it. The baby's body, stabbed 135 times, was found in a trash can outside the house. She was tried as an adult and found guilty.

Washington County District Judge Mary Hannon -- who decided the case after Beecroft waived her right to a jury trial -- ruled in December 2008 that Beecroft had planned the baby's death and lied to investigators. Hannon found Beecroft guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced her to life in prison without parole.

At issue during the trial, and again at Friday's hearing before Hannon, was whether the baby was born alive.

The Ramsey County medical examiner's office concluded that the baby was born alive and died from the extensive stab wounds to her neck, chest and abdomen.

Beecroft's public defenders interviewed other forensic experts who support Beecroft's initial statement to police that her baby had been stillborn. Dr. Janice Ophoven, an expert on pediatric forensic pathology, testified for several hours on Friday.

Jim Anderson • 612-673-7199