Montgomery’s defense claimed that she was experiencing ‘Pseudocyesis’, and that she should meet the legal criteria of insanity.  Pseudocyesis is the delusion of being pregnant, which can be accompanied by some physical symptoms but does not include the presence of the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in the woman’s urine.  In other words, a simple home pregnancy test would demonstrate the lack of pregnancy.   At the trial, forensic psychiatrist Park Dietz testified that Montgomery did not suffer from Pseudocyesis. He noted that Montgomery needed to produce a baby after claiming to be pregnant. This was due, in part to an ongoing custody battle with her ex-husband, who planned to note her false pregnancy claims in court.   

During the trial, the prosecution played the recorded telephone calls between Montgomery and her husband, during which Montgomery talked about “ways to mess with the psychologist” and laughing about her claims to have heard voices.  

As part of their evidence of premeditation, the Prosecution noted that Montgomery brought an umbilical cord clamp with her to Stinnett’s home. 

Montgomery’s mother  Judy Shaughnessy testified that Montgomery had faked being pregnant several times after her tubal ligation. Upon learning that Montgomery was showing a newborn in her town, Shaughnessy said her first reaction was “she either bought it or stole it.”

Montgomery’s husband testified that she had claimed to be pregnant several times after her tubal ligation, which he learned about from Montgomery’s sister.