Teresa Lewis - VA - 09/23/10

[Heidi]

Lewis' attorney, James Rocap III, did not immediately return a call seeking comment. He has said he would appeal her case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

He has returned the call...

Her lawyer, James R. Rocap III, said this morning that the U.S. Supreme Court  will be asked to consider her appeal and that a stay of execution will be sought. He also said a clemency petition will be filed with Gov. Bob McDonnell.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/jul/29/execution-date-set-only-woman-va-death-row-ar-354370/

[Kitten Resq]

Now let me get this straight.  She had her husband killed because he was an abusive alcoholic but she shouldn't get the Death Penalty because she herself is addicted to prescrption medication   

I am at a loss to understand her reasoning in this....

[Jeff1857]

There are a couple of scenarios that might delay this date. She has 90 days to file her petition with the US Supremes which hasn't been done yet. An extension of time to file MIGHT be granted which would delay it. The first US Supreme Court conference for the new term is 27 September. If there's an issue to be addressed by the full court it could possibly be delayed and discussed during the conference.

[Michael]

A really good question kitten. 

If it comes to the end the murder, who don´t thought about other "options" for his victims instead of killing the victim, searches every foxhole to escape his punishment.

Michael

[Frenchy]

I am sure that if we were on DR we would all do the same, Michael.

I doubt they will X a female, which if nothing else demonstrates a demonic inequality between sexes.

Frenchy

[Angelstorm]

Now let me get this straight.  She had her husband killed because he was an abusive alcoholic but she shouldn't get the Death Penalty because she herself is addicted to prescrption medication   

I am at a loss to understand her reasoning in this....

As am I, and also the reasoning behind the personality disorder - it's a disorder - not classified as an actual mental 'illness'.....
one thing's for sure - we all know one quick way to fix both her addicition and personality disorder 

[Michael]

I´m sure most of us will Frenchy. On my own - I´m not sure if I would volunteer. It depends on the reaction of my family and friends.

Michael

[Ron Reeger]

I am sure that if we were on DR we would all do the same, Michael.

I doubt they will X a female, which if nothing else demonstrates a demonic inequality between sexes.

Frenchy

I wouldn't be so certain. Virginia does not mess around when it comes to executing murderers.

[v1976ra]

I can totally see it happening, and won't be surprised (nor disappointed) if/when it does.   

[Heidi]

Edited

On Oct. 23, 2002, Lewis gave Shallenberger $1,200 to buy firearms and ammunition. Early on the morning of Oct. 20, 2002, he and Fuller entered the trailer through a back door that Lewis left unlocked.

Armed with shotguns, they woke Lewis, who left the bed and went into the kitchen. Shallenberger shot Lewis' husband several times, and Fuller shot Lewis' son three times. When the younger Lewis did not die immediately, Fuller got Shallenberger's shotgun and shot him two more times.

Lewis waited 45 minutes after the last shot was fired, and she called her former mother-in-law and then a friend before she called for help. She told investigators they were shot by intruders.

A deputy sheriff said Julian Lewis still was alive and said, "'My wife knows who done this to me.'"

Teresa Lewis pleaded guilty in 2003 and received two death sentences, plus 53 years.

Lewis is being held in segregation at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/local-crime/2010/jul/30/exec30-ar-355077/

[Rick4404]

Virginia seems to have their post-conviction process down to a science. It seems like Virginia death row inmates go through the appeals process much faster than do death row inmates in other states. Virginia's Legislature has streamlined the process and the law requires that an execution take place within 70 days of when an inmate has exhausted his or her appeals.

[loulou.]

when england had the death penalty 500 yrs ago ( slight sarcasm because thats how it feels ) they did it swiftly we really did get it right you get the death penalty and it was executed (excuse pun) very fast. I am pleased that this is carried out swiftly in some states of the usa, its how it should be. because the legacy of not carring it out quickly is, the condemned carry on living, whatever existance they describe having, hey its some sort of existance! more than what the victim had! and the remaing victims have to sit around and wait for justice, some dont even live to see justice done! that makes the question where is the justice..justice has been determined by the courts yet because of the appeals process it takes forever and that is not good enough!

[Heidi]

 The defense in this case took a gamble, and their client drew a loosing hand. They opted for a judge trial. The judge imposed a sentence of death. I see no reason for this execution not to proceed. The facts are the facts, and under Virginia aggravating circumstances this case fits criteria.

[Morbius420]

Lewis' first attempt to kill her husband failed. The plan was for the men to kill her husband as he came home from work and make it look like a robbery, but a car was too close and foiled the plot. A few days later she found out her stepson was coming home on leave from Army National Guard duty, and they decided to wait and kill him, too, so they could get all the insurance money.

That seems especially cruel and provides insight into the mind of a cold, calculating bitch.

[leopard32]

As Jeff1857 says above she might get a stay while she appeals to the Supreme Court but I don't think it will help her for long.

Consider the issues:
Guilt - well she pleaded guilty - so that one goes out.
Abused wife - that might have worked if they had only killed Julian, the husband, but doesn't fly with the stepson's murder.
Motive - $250K insurance money.
Premeditation - the first murder was aborted and then they decided to wait a few days to kill both victims.
Lack of ability to plan the murder - this is little more than Mr. Rocap's opinion - where is the proof that on the particular days in question she was incapable of planning the crime?
Offering the killers the sexual services of both herself and her teenage daughter hardly helps her case. 
It is difficult to see any proven fact that calls for clemency for Teresa Lewis.