DeKalb County grandmother Selena Rivera sentenced for murdering granddaughter

Sep 16, 2015 - 19:47
Sep 16, 2015 - 19:51
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DeKalb County grandmother Selena Rivera sentenced for murdering granddaughter
Selena Rivera

A DeKalb County grandmother convicted of beating her own granddaughter to death refused to enter a courtroom for sentencing on Wednesday moing.

Selena Rivera, 42, told her attoey that she did not want to come inside the courtroom to hear her sentence.

"Ms. Rivera has confirmed to me that she would like to be sentenced without being inside the courtroom," attoey Darryl Queen told the judge.

A jury convicted Rivera of murder in the death of her 3-year-old granddaughter, Neveah Pinckney.  Prosecutors said Rivera beat the child with a pipe, then stuffed her body inside a closet.  Neveah's 8-year-old sister discovered the body. 

"She was bruised and battered and beaten to the point that the medical examiner said her body could no longer sustain life," prosecutor Lee Williams said.

Rivera maintained her innocence during the trial.

Friends and family begged for mercy during sentencing.

After Rivera waived her appearance, Judge Mark Anthony Scott sentenced her to life in prison with the possibility of parole, but he noted that she would not be eligible for parole for 30 years.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.