Nicole Virzi homicide case
Prosecutors announced on June 27, 2026, that they would not be pursuing the death penalty against Nicole Virzi, who is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of children in the death of 6-week-old Leon Katz in June 2024. As of July 28, 2026, Virzi's trial is scheduled for October 1, 2026, following a February 23, 2026, ruling that her statement to police was voluntary and admissible. The Allegheny County District Attorney's office dropped its pursuit of the death penalty on July 1, 2026. Virzi had previously waived her right to a preliminary hearing on February 11, 2026, and a forensic psychiatrist was consulted by the defense in December 2025.
Timeline
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July 2026 — 2 developments
Nicole Virzi Death Penalty Dropped; Statement Ruled Voluntary
Prosecutors announced on June 27, 2026, that they would not be pursuing the death penalty against Nicole Virzi. Earlier, on February 23, 2026, a judge ruled that Virzi's statement to police was voluntary and denied a motion to suppress it. Virzi is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of children in the death of 6-week-old Leon Katz in June 2024.
Nicole Virzi death penalty dropped in homicide case
The Allegheny County District Attorney's office has dropped its pursuit of the death penalty against Nicole Virzi, who is accused in the death of 6-week-old Leon Katz. Her trial is scheduled for October 1, 2026.
June 2026 — 1 developments
Nicole Virzi homicide trial date set for October 1, 2026
Nicole Virzi's homicide trial is now scheduled for October 1, 2026. This follows a February 2026 ruling that her confession to police is admissible. Virzi is accused of killing 6-week-old Leon Katz in June 2024 while babysitting him.
March 2026 — 2 developments
Nicole Virzi's defense files motions to suppress confession and evidence ahead of 2026 trial
A jury trial for Nicole Virzi is scheduled for October 1, 2026, with hearings set for March 25, 2026. The defense has filed motions to suppress Virzi's confession, statements made to law enforcement, and evidence from a warrantless cell phone search, arguing violations of her constitutional rights.
Nicole Virzi's Confession Ruled Admissible in Homicide Trial; Trial Set for May 2026
Nicole Virzi's confession has been ruled admissible in her homicide trial, with the trial scheduled to begin on May 26, 2026. A motion hearing is set for March 25, 2026.
February 2026 — 3 developments
Judge Rules Nicole Virzi's Confession Admissible in Homicide Trial
A judge ruled that Nicole Virzi's confession to police, in which she admitted to dropping the baby multiple times, is admissible in her homicide trial. The judge found the statement was made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily, despite defense claims of coercion during a 13-hour interrogation. Virzi, accused of killing her best friend's infant son, faces the death penalty.
Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Nicole Virzi in Infant's Death
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Nicole Virzi, who is accused of killing 6-week-old Leon Katz while babysitting him. Aggravating factors cited include torture and the victim being under 12 years old. A judge ruled that Virzi's statement to police was made voluntarily, despite defense claims of coercion.
Nicole Virzi waives preliminary hearing in infant homicide case
A preliminary hearing was held for Nicole Virzi, who is accused of homicide in the death of an infant. During this hearing, Virzi waived her right to a preliminary hearing. She was babysitting the infant while his parents were hospitalized with injuries allegedly caused by Virzi.
January 2026 — 1 developments
Next Hearing Scheduled for Case
The next scheduled hearing in the case was set for this date.
December 2025 — 1 developments
Nicole Virzi's Defense Consulting Forensic Psychiatrist Ahead of Status Hearing
A status hearing for Nicole Virzi's case took place on December 8, 2025, during which it was revealed that the defense is consulting a forensic psychiatrist.
November 2025 — 2 developments
Defense argues Virzi's video-recorded confession to police was coerced during suppression hearing
A hearing was held on a defense motion to suppress Virzi's statement to police, during which prosecutors played portions of her video-recorded interrogation, and the defense argued the confession was coerced.
Motion Hearing Scheduled for Defense's Omnibus Pre-Trial Motion
A motion hearing was scheduled, likely pertaining to the Omnibus Pre-Trial Motion filed by the defense.
October 2025 — 1 developments
Defense claims Nicole Virzi's constitutional rights violated by unlawful arrest and coerced confession
Defense arguments were highlighted, claiming violations of Nicole Virzi's constitutional rights due to unlawful arrest and detention, and that her confession was coerced.
August 2025 — 2 developments
Court grants continuance for Omnibus Pre-Trial Motion after status hearing
A status hearing took place, and the Omnibus Pre-Trial Motion was discussed, with a continuance being granted.
Defense Files Omnibus Pre-Trial Motion
The defense filed an Omnibus Pre-Trial Motion, a comprehensive legal filing consolidating various pretrial requests.
September 2024 — 3 developments
Nicole Virzi, accused of infant homicide, receives December 2024 jury trial date
A pre-trial conference has set a jury trial date for December 10, 2024, for Nicole Virzi, who is accused of homicide in the death of an infant. Two status hearings have also been scheduled to take place before the trial begins. Virzi faces the death penalty for the alleged murder.
Pre-trial conference held in ongoing case
A pre-trial conference was held in the ongoing case.
Virzi left Airbnb before police arrived, sparking legal discussions
Public discussions and legal analyses emerged regarding Virzi's actions of leaving her Airbnb before police arrived, suggesting it could be interpreted as consciousness of guilt.
August 2024 — 3 developments
Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Nicole Virzi in Infant Killing and Injury Case
Prosecutors announced their intention to pursue the death penalty against Nicole Virzi for the alleged killing of a friend's newborn baby and injuring the twin brother. This decision was made citing aggravating factors, including alleged torture of a victim under 12 years old. The case was waived for court on July 24, 2024, with all charges proceeding.
Prosecutors announce intent to seek death penalty against Nicole Virzi
Prosecutors announced their intent to seek the death penalty against Nicole Virzi, providing four reasons for this decision.
Case proceeds to court with all charges intact after information filed
An information was filed, formally indicating that the case was proceeding to court with all charges intact.
July 2024 — 1 developments
Nicole Virzi Waives Preliminary Hearing, Case Moves to Court of Common Pleas
A preliminary hearing was held, where Nicole Virzi waived her right to the hearing, moving the case forward to the Court of Common Pleas.
June 2024 — 3 developments
Nicole Virzi Charged with Homicide in Infant's Death, Death Penalty Sought
Nicole Virzi, a San Diego woman, has been charged with criminal homicide in the death of a 6-week-old infant and the injury of his twin brother in Pittsburgh. The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office is seeking the death penalty. Virzi was babysitting the twins on June 15, 2024, when she reported one infant had fallen and sustained a head injury.
Nicole Virzi charged with homicide after confessing to harming child Leon Katz
Leon Katz was pronounced dead. Nicole Virzi was questioned by police for 12 hours, during which she confessed to harming the child. She was subsequently charged with criminal homicide, endangering the welfare of children, and aggravated assault, and bail was denied.
Nicole Virzi calls 911 after 6-week-old Leon Katz falls from bouncer
The alleged offenses occurred, and Nicole Virzi called 911 reporting that 6-week-old Leon Katz had fallen from a bouncer. Leon was subsequently taken to the hospital.
February 2024 — 1 developments
Nicole Virzi's Trial Set for October 1 After Confession Ruled Admissible
Nicole Virzi's trial for the death of infant Leon Katz and the injury of his twin brother Ari has been scheduled for October 1. A judge ruled her confession admissible, rejecting the defense's claim of coercion. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.