Florida Woman's Murder Trial Halted After Emotional Outburst

The murder trial of Leigha Mumby, a 25-year-old Florida woman accused of intentionally causing a car crash that killed her boyfriend, was abruptly halted Tuesday after she began crying uncontrollably in front of the jury. The emotional outburst occurred as prosecutors presented their opening statement, detailing accusations that Mumby deliberately crashed her vehicle at over 100 mph on I-95 in Bunnell, Florida, in February 2025.

Prosecutors allege that after an argument with her boyfriend, Daniel Waterman, 22, Mumby made an abrupt 45-degree left turn, causing the car to flip into a wooded area. Waterman sustained severe injuries, including paralysis, and died eight months later from complications related to the crash. Mumby has pleaded not guilty to charges of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury and vehicular homicide.

Mumby's attorneys maintain that the crash was a tragic accident, with her lawyer arguing that the central issue of the trial will be whether it is more plausible that Mumby intentionally steered the vehicle as alleged or if an unforeseen event occurred that she could not control.

During the proceedings, Waterman's cousin, Sarah Stappenbeck, testified about the couple's tumultuous relationship. Stappenbeck stated that Mumby had recently revealed her pregnancy and expressed concerns about Waterman speaking to other women. She recalled Mumby calling her after leaving a Super Bowl party, stating Waterman was texting another girl and that she was bringing him home. Stappenbeck testified that she tried to de-escalate the situation, but Mumby was not listening and eventually hung up, accusing Stappenbeck of taking Waterman's side.

Waterman's family told the Daily Mail that they initially believed Mumby's claims of an accident. However, after hearing alleged evidence of Mumby's intent, they noted similarities to the case of Mackenzie Shirilla, who was convicted of killing her boyfriend and a friend by intentionally crashing her car. Shirilla is serving a life sentence for the July 2022 incident in Ohio.

Prosecutors sought to introduce an interview Waterman gave to police in the ICU following the crash, where he allegedly stated that before the accident, Mumby told him, “I don’t care what happens, you’ll get what you deserve.” However, this evidence was barred due to laws protecting a defendant's right to cross-examine witnesses. Mumby, who has since had Waterman's child, claims she has no memory of the incident.

Waterman's family also recounted instances in the hospital where they believe Waterman indicated Mumby's guilt. They reported that he turned pictures of himself with Mumby upside down and appeared to pull away from her when she visited. His relatives also described him jerking his head in apparent panic when waking up next to Mumby, though he was unable to speak due to medical tubes. According to his aunt, Tiffany, Waterman later used a letterboard to communicate to his mother that Mumby had intentionally crashed the car after accusing him of cheating. He reportedly said, "Help me, help me. She killed me, she killed me."

Mumby faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted. Her trial is ongoing.