True Crime Stories

Many beliefs and behaviors are learned and passed down from generation to generation. The theory that male children are superior to female children is one of them. Of course until the early 1900's women were still even legally considered to be inferior. Some would argue today that women are still considered that way but it is nothing compared to where we started. This goes back at least as far as ancient times and just carried on down. Many female children babies were abandoned or even murdered in China when there was a one child policy in place for more than thirty years. Male children carry on surnames which make them important to fathers in particular. But mother's doted on their sons, some more than others. Sons were treated better than daughters. Daughters were expected to marry well; sons were expected to do well. Many mothers would not just try to convince their sons that no one would love them like they would, they made sure the women dating their son...

This is a case that I heard about a very long time ago and has always stuck with me. I have often stated that the cases that involve the murder of a child are the most difficult and in that respect this case was no different. However, this is a case where I disagree with the prosecution as to the motive behind the murders. According to prosecutors Christina Marie Riggs murdered her two children, five year old Justin Thomas and two year old Shelby Riggs, because they “were an inconvenience” in her life. This would not be an uncommon motive when it comes to parents, especially single mothers, killing their own children but I just do not see that being the case here. As you read on I will let you be the judge whether you agree or disagree to the motive. On November 5, 1997 Christina Riggs' mother could not reach her so late in the afternoon she went to the home Christina shared with her two children in Sherwood Arkansas. Some reports say that the children were in t...

Velma Barfield became famous not just because she was executed for her crime, but because she was the first woman executed by the United States after the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. In fact, at the time of her at least initial conviction, North Carolina did not even have a place for women on death row. In the end Velma was convicted and ultimately executed for the murder of one man but it is said she admitted to at least three more. Some say she admitted to five more but I found no evidence of this. Authorities do suspect or claim that she is likely responsible for the death of at least one of her husbands, despite Velma's denial. In 1949 Velma married her first husband, Thomas Burke. After having two children she had to have a hysterectomy. It has been reported that it was around this time that she developed chronic back pain that led to a drug addiction that in turn changed her personality. On April 4, 1969 Thomas Burke died and while t...

Crimes and trials usually become sensational and nationally known due to things such as the people involved or the details of the crime are especially heinous.  That was not the case with the Ruth Snyder/Henry "Judd" Gray case.  This case became famously known and talked about because the criminals were so inept people were mystified as to their stupidity.  In modern times they likely would have appeared on America's Dumbest Criminals. Ruth Brown and Albert Snyder were married in 1915.  In 1925 Ruth met Judd Gray and began an affair.  Reports differ on if this was her first affair or the last of many.  Ruth claimed that from the time of their marriage that Albert had been at the very least emotionally abusive.  Albert had been involved with another woman.  It was unclear as to if his affair with the other woman continued through the beginning of their marriage or if the woman had already passed away, to which she evidently eventually did. Accord...