KillZone
08-10-2005, 11:54 AM
Us Texans may have reached even more efficient methods to execute a murderer. If the killer is in a coma, convict her/him and then just go ahead and execute her/him. :nonono:
Case proceeds against unconscious mother
Keller: Results of investigation into girl's death to go to DA
08:48 PM CDT on Monday, August 8, 2005
By BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News
As a friend talked to a 911 operator, Steven Roberts could be heard sobbing in the background after finding his daughter dead and his estranged wife unconscious, her wrists slit.
"Why did she do that?" Mr. Roberts can be heard saying in the background of the 911 call released Monday. "Why did she think that's a way out?"
Mr. Roberts and the friend found 11-year-old Kelsey and 49-year-old Norma Jean Roberts in Ms. Roberts' home in the 1900 block of Stallion Court in Keller on Friday night. Kelsey's body was lying in a doorway to a bedroom. Police said she was suffocated. Ms. Roberts was lying unconscious in another bedroom.
Mr. Roberts and the friend found 11-year-old Kelsey and 49-year-old Norma Jean Roberts in Ms. Roberts' home in the 1900 block of Stallion Court in Keller on Friday night. Kelsey's body was lying in a doorway to a bedroom. Police said she was suffocated. Ms. Roberts was lying unconscious in another bedroom.
Ms. Roberts was charged with her daughter's murder on Saturday. Bail was set at $200,000.
The results of the police investigation will be forwarded to the Tarrant County district attorney's office for further action this week, regardless of whether Ms. Roberts regains consciousness.
"We're very confident with the evidence we've gathered thus far," Keller police Lt. Tommy Williams said. "To be able to interview her will simply be the last piece of the puzzle."
Ms. Roberts remained unconscious under police guard Monday at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine, he said.
"The doctors say physically there's no reason she shouldn't be awake," Lt. Williams said. "We have to wait until she's ready."
He said the motive in the killing appears to be upcoming divorce and child custody proceedings between Mr. and Ms. Roberts.
"She was obviously very traumatized by the fact that the marriage relationship was breaking up," Lt. Williams said.
Mr. Roberts could not be reached for comment Monday. A woman who answered the door at his Keller home declined to comment.
Mental examination
In March, Mr. Roberts' attorney filed a motion in Tarrant County District Court requesting a court order for a mental examination of Ms. Roberts. The motion stated that her mental condition was in controversy in the divorce. It also stated that her emotional stability and ability to care for Kelsey were issues in the case.
It is unclear from the court records whether Ms. Roberts was ordered to submit to the exam.
A mediated settlement agreement finalized last month detailed the custody arrangement for Kelsey as well as the split of personal property and debt.
The document also noted that Mr. and Ms. Roberts agreed that neither would receive a copy of the other's psychological evaluation.
Grief counselors
Kelsey, who was active in choir and Girl Scouts, was to have started the sixth grade Monday at South Keller Intermediate School.
"She was a very well-liked student," district spokesman Jason Meyer said outside the school.
He said many of Kelsey's classmates were talking to the school's guidance counselors and a team of about 17 special child grief counselors, church leaders and the police chaplain.
"It's been a steady flow this morning," Mr. Meyer said. "It affects children in different ways."
He declined to comment on whether the school had been aware of any problems Kelsey might have had at home.
"I can't really go into anything of that nature," he said.
Case proceeds against unconscious mother
Keller: Results of investigation into girl's death to go to DA
08:48 PM CDT on Monday, August 8, 2005
By BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News
As a friend talked to a 911 operator, Steven Roberts could be heard sobbing in the background after finding his daughter dead and his estranged wife unconscious, her wrists slit.
"Why did she do that?" Mr. Roberts can be heard saying in the background of the 911 call released Monday. "Why did she think that's a way out?"
Mr. Roberts and the friend found 11-year-old Kelsey and 49-year-old Norma Jean Roberts in Ms. Roberts' home in the 1900 block of Stallion Court in Keller on Friday night. Kelsey's body was lying in a doorway to a bedroom. Police said she was suffocated. Ms. Roberts was lying unconscious in another bedroom.
Mr. Roberts and the friend found 11-year-old Kelsey and 49-year-old Norma Jean Roberts in Ms. Roberts' home in the 1900 block of Stallion Court in Keller on Friday night. Kelsey's body was lying in a doorway to a bedroom. Police said she was suffocated. Ms. Roberts was lying unconscious in another bedroom.
Ms. Roberts was charged with her daughter's murder on Saturday. Bail was set at $200,000.
The results of the police investigation will be forwarded to the Tarrant County district attorney's office for further action this week, regardless of whether Ms. Roberts regains consciousness.
"We're very confident with the evidence we've gathered thus far," Keller police Lt. Tommy Williams said. "To be able to interview her will simply be the last piece of the puzzle."
Ms. Roberts remained unconscious under police guard Monday at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine, he said.
"The doctors say physically there's no reason she shouldn't be awake," Lt. Williams said. "We have to wait until she's ready."
He said the motive in the killing appears to be upcoming divorce and child custody proceedings between Mr. and Ms. Roberts.
"She was obviously very traumatized by the fact that the marriage relationship was breaking up," Lt. Williams said.
Mr. Roberts could not be reached for comment Monday. A woman who answered the door at his Keller home declined to comment.
Mental examination
In March, Mr. Roberts' attorney filed a motion in Tarrant County District Court requesting a court order for a mental examination of Ms. Roberts. The motion stated that her mental condition was in controversy in the divorce. It also stated that her emotional stability and ability to care for Kelsey were issues in the case.
It is unclear from the court records whether Ms. Roberts was ordered to submit to the exam.
A mediated settlement agreement finalized last month detailed the custody arrangement for Kelsey as well as the split of personal property and debt.
The document also noted that Mr. and Ms. Roberts agreed that neither would receive a copy of the other's psychological evaluation.
Grief counselors
Kelsey, who was active in choir and Girl Scouts, was to have started the sixth grade Monday at South Keller Intermediate School.
"She was a very well-liked student," district spokesman Jason Meyer said outside the school.
He said many of Kelsey's classmates were talking to the school's guidance counselors and a team of about 17 special child grief counselors, church leaders and the police chaplain.
"It's been a steady flow this morning," Mr. Meyer said. "It affects children in different ways."
He declined to comment on whether the school had been aware of any problems Kelsey might have had at home.
"I can't really go into anything of that nature," he said.