BUFFALO, N.Y. — Outrage followed the indictment of 40-year-old Lashawn Lewis, who was arraigned on charges she faces in the death of her own mother, Lateyfa Lewis.

"We were all a loving family. We had just had my baby shower that Saturday, our whole family was together," said Nafeesah Woods, Lateyfa's niece. "We don't understand."

Prosecutors say Lashawn stabbed her mother in her Orange Street home more than 40 times after an incident in August 2005.

She pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning in State Supreme Court.

If convicted, Lashawn Lewis could face 25 years to life in prison. She is currently in the Erie County Correctional Facility serving a 90-day sentence on an unrelated charge of possession of a controlled substance.