Greetings! Please Share & Subcribe.
A U.S. mother today admitted stabbing to death her three young children in their UK home as she was locked in a bitter court battle with her estranged husband.
Theresa Riggi, from California, knifed her eight-year-old twins Austin and Luke and their five-year-old sister Cecilia in their home in Scotland.
She was fighting her estranged husband Pasquale Riggi, from Colorado, in the courts over access to the children.
The couple had moved to Edinburgh 13 years ago.
Their bodies were discovered following a suspected gas explosion in August last year at the townhouse they shared with their mother.
At the Edinburgh's High Court today, Riggi, 47, pleaded guilty to the culpable homicide of her three children on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
She had originally been charged with murder but admitted the lesser charges.
Prosecutors had alleged that Cecilia and the twins, who were also known as Augustino and Gianluca, were repeatedly struck on the body with a knife or knives between August 2 and 4 last year.
She was also accused of recklessly causing a gas explosion.
Riggi was found badly injured after apparently falling from a second-floor balcony and the children's bodies were discovered inside.
She was arrested in connection with the children's deaths after post-mortem examinations, and a specially-convened court was held inside Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where she was being treated.
She was later transferred to Cornton Vale Prison for women, near Stirling.
The funeral of the three children was held at the end of August at St Mary's Cathedral in Aberdeen, the city where the youngsters lived until shortly before their deaths.
Riggi and her husband were involved in a legal action over the children at the Court of Session in Edinburgh at the time of the tragedy.
The family had moved to the city from Skene, Aberdeenshire, following the breakdown of Riggi's marriage to the children's father, Pasquale Riggi. Following their deaths, the oil engineer said he was 'paralysed with grief'.
The children's American father, oil engineer Pasquale Riggi, 46, spoke of his devastation after their deaths. He said: 'You are paralysed with grief. You are not sure what to do next.Shell employee Mr Riggi said: 'The hardest moment without a doubt was when I first found out. Your life is all about your children, you have plans and you have dreams for them.
'In one instant, that's gone.'
'The reality of it all is difficult to take all at once. You can't even get your head around it.
'The difficult part, obviously, is seeing constant reminders on a daily basis in front of you - it's playing out in the newspapers and on TV. '
It's almost like it's happening to someone else and you keep asking yourself, "Is it me, is this my family?". And then the reality hits you that it is.'
They lived in Lowestoft, then spent two years in Holland before moving to Aberdeen in February 2007. He last saw his children on July 4 when they were treated to a day out at Aberdeen beach to celebrate U.S. Independence Day
Referring to himself and the extended family, he said: 'We know that once all the shock and all the initial sadness of this subsides, there will be deep pain and suffering that we will all need to seek counselling for.'
He added: 'We were so blessed to have three happy, healthy and bright and active children.
'The memories that we have of Austin, Luke and Cecilia will forever provide joy and comfort as we go through the weeks, months and years ahead.'
He said of the his last outing with is children: 'It was very enjoyable, we were out all day at the beach recreation centre in Aberdeen, playing video games and at various restaurants.
'It was a nice day, I have fond memories of that day.'
The hearing before judge Lord Bracadale continues.
DAILYMAIL
0 Comments