Va. one step closer to executing first woman in nearly a century

1 comment Subscribe

Subscribe

On Friday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided against Teresa Lewis, Virginia’s lone female death row inmate.

In March, lawyers for Lewis, told the federal appeals court that her death sentence should be rescinded because her drug addiction and alleged personality disorders were not considered at her trial.

In 2002, Lewis pleaded guilty to masterminding the murder of her husband and stepson in Pittsylvania County.

At her sentencing, Circuit Court Judge Charles Strauss addressed Lewis, telling her that she was a cold, emotionless killer, and was motivated solely by financial reasons.

Prosecutors said that Lewis boasted to friends that she had married Julian Lewis Jr., simply for money and offered sex to the two men who carried out the murders. She was to be the sole beneficiary of $250,000 in insurance money.

Lewis, not only offered herself to the hired hit men, but her 16-year-old daughter as well. She left a door unlocked, and sat by as her husband and stepson were gunned down, waiting an hour to call 911.

In a scene which can only be described as sickening, Lewis actually went through her husband’s pockets, as he lay dying, gasping for air.

The gunmen, Rodney Fuller and Matthew Shallenberger, were both sentenced to life in prison.

Lewis' daughter, Christie Lynn Bean, who knew about the plot but kept quiet, also served time in prison.

Lewis’ current attorney, James Rocap, claims that his client was not capable of plotting the murders due to her severe dependency on prescription drugs, as well as a personality disorder which rendered her overly dependent on men.

Rocap says he is prepared to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. He told reporters: “We were obviously disappointed in the result and intend to vigorously pursue all avenues on Teresa's behalf.”

If executed, she will be the first woman to die in Virginia’s death chamber since 1912.since, when 17-year-old Virginia Christian died in the electric chair for killing her employer.

 

see justice served immigration news