On November 4, 1997, Christina Marie Riggs killed her children, Justin and Shelby, then unsuccessfully tried to take her own life.  She claimed that she didn’t want the children, who had different fathers, to be split up after her death.  Riggs pled not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.  Her attorneys argued that Riggs’ severe depression led her to view Justin and Shelby’s deaths as an “act of mercy.”  On June 30, 1998, Riggs was convicted of capital murder.  While some evidence regarding Riggs’ history of depression was brought out during the guilt phase of the trial, she would not allow her attorneys to put on any evidence during the punishment phase and in testimony before the jury, Riggs requested a death sentence.  After her direct appeal concluded, Riggs waived her right to post-conviction relief and she was executed on May 2, 2000.  We’ll talk about the crime, Riggs’ history and her desire to be executed which was opposed by groups that included Amnesty International and the ACLU.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.