Opinion ID: 2584893
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Family Members' Testimony

Text: The defense presented evidence that when defendant was a child, his parents separated and his mother moved with the children to California. Defendant's father, Edward Riggs (whom Lillian Tucker, defendant's aunt, testified was a lovely father), died of an illness shortly thereafter. Defendant had difficulty getting over his father's death. According to Tucker, defendant's mother once whipped defendant with an electrical cord. She also made him work in her building-maintenance business at night after defendant attended school during the day. When defendant's mother remarried, her new husband was mean to defendant and his brothers. Lanny Henry, defendant's cousin, testified that although defendant's mother did not physically abuse him, she may have mentally abused him. Henry was aware of defendant's criminal activities and believed they were a result of his family background in that defendant's mother did not discipline him when he behaved badly, but instead made excuses for his behavior. Having to work in his mother's maintenance business until the early morning hours meant that defendant did not attend school and got off track. In Henry's experience, defendant was not physically abusive to women or children but in fact discouraged such actions. Henry would be devastated if defendant were executed and believed defendant could be of benefit to society in prison as a positive influence on other inmates. Defendant's sister, Pearlie Thomas, testified that she had never seen defendant act violently, use drugs, drink alcohol, smoke, or curse. It was her impression that defendant and Hilda Riggs were happily married; she saw no signs of physical abuse or unhappiness between them. She stated she would be devastated and defendant's family would be hurt if defendant were to be executed. Several other family members and acquaintances testified that they observed no signs of defendant's having abused Hilda, Lena, or Dejawhn, Jr., or other women, or otherwise having engaged in criminal activities. Most of the witnesses testified that defendant's relationships with women appeared to be loving. Some witnesses testified that defendant had been a positive influence in their lives in terms of offering guidance and advice and that in their opinion defendant should not be executed.