GUILTY TX - Riley 'Baby Grace' Sawyers, 2, brutally murdered, Spring, 24 July 2007

[passionflower]

IMO, an eye for an eye.............do the same to these 2 monsters that slayed this dear little baby. But we can't, because it would be to barbaric and we citizens are far above these 2 low life scums. I cannot even fathom in my mind the horror of the situation and the boundries they gave a 2 year old. IMOO

 

[passionflower]

Kat,
I snipped and bold your statement........if you ever find the answer please let me know!This is one aspect of Mothers that kill their children that I need to find a psychology book on, why they go out and party after they kill and/or murder their children?
I would be insane if any of my children died in a horrific manner, I would curl up in bed and never come out again. My grief would be unbearable for me. IMOO

 

[RNmomnFL]

A part of me does want to avenge Riley's horrible death with pain to the perpetrators. But it wouldn't be enough. She's still gone. Oh, how I wish I could back in time & fix it.

 

[Texana]

Kat,
I snipped and bold your statement........if you ever find the answer please let me know!This is one aspect of Mothers that kill their children that I need to find a psychology book on, why they go out and party after they kill and/or murder their children?
I would be insane if any of my children died in a horrific manner, I would curl up in bed and never come out again. My grief would be unbearable for me. IMOO

Because they are the kind of mothers who can kill their own children.

You have to go back to the egg to understand the chicken, so to speak. We see this a lot of behavior like this in my field of work (education)on a smaller how can the parent do this?

Then you look at the big picture and say, oh, wait, I'm expecting normal behavior afterwards from people who were deranged from the get-go. A good example would be the comments and actions of the McCanns immediately after Madeleine went missing--and then you realized that these were people who could go out to dinner repeatedly leaving three small children alone in a apartment room in a foreign country resort town. So expecting in a way these people to show normal grief is not realistic.

A couple of things I've noted about mothers who kill like this: (as opposed to mothers who are schizophrenic or mentally ill.)

1) the children are usually unplanned pregnancies and often the mother bounces from one relationship to another with the father (s) These aren't women who have trouble getting pregnant; Trenor was pregnant again by the time authorities came to arrest her.
2) the children usually show signs of neglect or emotional abuse before their deaths, even if there is no overt physical abuse. Darlie Routier was not known for being a self-sacrificing, loving mother no matter how she tries to present herself as such. Same with Diane Downs.
3) The mothers will jerk their children around based on relationships with different men. The men always take precedence over the children. The mother puts her own emotional neediness always first. Think Susan Smith.

I'll never understand it, either. I find it despicable that Trenor took Riley away from the paternal grandmother who helped raise her and loved her so much. She's probably deluded herself into thinking that it was an accident because they were just doing what was best for Riley. (!)

How she could stand by and watch Zeigler do that, and even participate--she is just the same as the Manson Family women. No excuse for her.

 

[RNmomnFL]

I'm interested in hearing more opinions about why the mother has plead not guilty versus throwing herself on the court's mercy. What is her defense aside from accusing her spouse? Does she think that the jury (was weeping during testimony) is going to find her innocent? Does she believe she is innocent even though she has admitted helping "discipline" this baby? Can't she see that Riley was set up to fail (ridiculous list for a toddler) in following those rules therefore giving the abuser an excuse to punish her? Also, her court demeanor is not good IMO. Why isn't she better dressed & somber in expression? The pictures of her smiling in court are hard to look at frankly. If it's all the stepfather's fault than why doesn't she show it? I don't know maybe she has broken down. She should for she will never again feel the joy of a little one hugging your neck or curling up on your chest all safe & warm. For Riley's sake she deserves the maximum sentence.

 

[static]

I don't know what it is about this case that keeps bringing me back. I am not an overly emotional person but I can't stop crying. It hits me at strange times like when I'm driving home from work & I 'm overcome with sadness for Riley and guilt that this happened to an innocent. Her so sweet smile in the picture where she's holding the bubbles just breaks my heart. I want to do something to change what happened but realize I can't. It's not really that comforting to know her suffering is over & she's in heaven but it's all I got. It does make me determined to ensure my children are appreciated & to treasure the hugs they give me & when they tell me they love me.

Totally understand...I cry and my heart actually aches, and that is the only time my kids have seen me really cry...when I hear or read about these cases, and then just overwhelmed with a need to do something...to stop all this violence toward these precious little ones. It just doesn't make sense, and thank God it doesn't. Cannot understand HOW anyone could hurt a child, let alone see them having a great time, after they have committed such a horrific crime. Again, I thank God that I will never understand it. But I want to see justice for them, and as you said, treasure all the more, the moments with my own children and grandchild.

 

[Disguiseduser0308]

I'll never forget the first time I heard the sordid details of Riley's final moments on this earth. I couldn't stop crying thinking what that sweet little angel went through. I am broken in pieces reading that Riley said "I love you" during all of this. My goodness, what monster could do this to any child?

I am glad to see this finally going to trial. I hope justice is served for Riley. As far as I'm concerned, they are both responsible for her death. Regardless of which "blow" did it.

Prayers for justice for Riley. May you soon be able to rest in peace as those who caused your pain are held responsible for their actions.

 

[Kat]

Updates for sweet Riley Ann:

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=7c1b95c56c7db82f


snipped from article above:

"Of the 23 witnesses called thus far in Kimberly Dawn Trenor’s capital murder trial, which continues Monday, her mother-in-law provided revealing testimony of Trenor’s personality.

Nellie Zeigler, mother of Trenor’s husband, Royce Clyde Zeigler II, testified Friday about her four months of frustration, as she begged Trenor, 20, for the truth of the whereabouts of 2-year-old Riley Ann Sawyers.

Trenor’s defense said Royce Zeigler, 25, was a dominating, controlling figure in Trenor’s life, but Nellie Zeigler portrayed Trenor as callus, thankless and vulgar. Trenor and her husband, who is also charged with capital murder, are accused of killing Riley during a daylong disciplinary session and then dumping the toddler’s remains in Galveston Bay."

The article has some interesting testimony from MIL. Very intestesting in my opinion. The MIL states she saw bruising on Riley Ann prior to her disappearance and being found deceased. Makes me wonder, why she didn't report the bruising if it was as significant as she states during her testimony?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6241844.html

"Prosecutors planned to wrap up their case Monday against a mother accused of beating her 2-year-old daughter to death during a deadly discipline session and then dumping the body in Galveston Bay.

Galveston County Medical Examiner Stephen Pustilnik was expected to take the stand as the last prosecution witness in the capital murder trial of Kimberly Dawn Trenor, 20."


I will be watching for the jury to render a verdict for Riley Ann's Mother, I wish the jurists grace and pray that they find their decision easy to reach. I also hope that they don't suffer from this once it's over, having to listen to all of the testimonies, and listening to the end of Riley Ann's life.

 

[RNmomnFL]

Updates for sweet Riley Ann:

QUOTE]

Ugh! Bruises indicating chronic abuse I guess. I can't look at the article yet to digest the horrible implications (too much to bear at present).
I hope justice is swift. Hugging my tot a bit tighter today. RIP Riley!

 

[RNmomnFL]

OK! Infuriating to read about the bruises. Imagine the agony a child would have to endure being struck with a belt. The mother certainly bears liability in this.

 

[madeleine]

I'm interested in hearing more opinions about why the mother has plead not guilty versus throwing herself on the court's mercy. What is her defense aside from accusing her spouse? Does she think that the jury (was weeping during testimony) is going to find her innocent? Does she believe she is innocent even though she has admitted helping "discipline" this baby? Can't she see that Riley was set up to fail (ridiculous list for a toddler) in following those rules therefore giving the abuser an excuse to punish her? Also, her court demeanor is not good IMO. Why isn't she better dressed & somber in expression? The pictures of her smiling in court are hard to look at frankly. If it's all the stepfather's fault than why doesn't she show it? I don't know maybe she has broken down. She should for she will never again feel the joy of a little one hugging your neck or curling up on your chest all safe & warm. For Riley's sake she deserves the maximum sentence.

I just don't see how "I am sorry" would have worked in this case,not guilty is a bad option also but it's still a tiny option.Won't work though IMO.
I don't like her attitude either,she looks....arrogant somehow.I can't look at her without getting :furious:, I just can't.

 

[RNmomnFL]

I see that Riley's mother has cried during her trial which indicates remorse, although I don't think it will get her much in return i.e., sympathy from the jury. Still not sure why she seems to be dressed so casually for court wearing polos & the like. How can appearing plain benefit her? I suppose her not guilty plea is just hope the juror's will think that Riley's murder was all the stepfather's doing. But that seems to be in doubt in lieu of her admission that she actively participated in Riley's fatal beating & most likely had struck her before (testimony of her seen previously with a belt & prior bruises noted on Riley). Guess we'll see what the defense says. This is so sad. Again RIP Riley.

 

[Kat]

Afternoon update:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,486804,00.html

"The jury of seven women and five men was expected to begin deliberating Kimberly Dawn Trenor's fate after closing arguments Monday afternoon.

Trenor's only defense witness, a co-worker of her husband's, testified he believed Royce Clyde Zeigler II seemed to be controlling of his wife. Trenor's attorneys have argued to jurors that Trenor was under Zeigler's control and she was not responsible for the death of toddler Riley Ann Sawyers.

Scott Estes also told jurors he overheard Zeigler at work speaking angrily to his wife on the phone, and that he saw Trenor act depressed during a company picnic that occurred after Riley's death. Last week, another co-worker testified the couple was playful at the same picnic."


and:

"Trenor could receive an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted of capital murder. The jury could also convict her of a lesser charge. She already has pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence.

The defense's only witness followed an unsuccessful attempt by Trenor's defense attorney, Tommie Stickler Jr., to get Zeigler to testify at his wife's trial.

Outside the presence of the jury, Stickler asked Zeigler three questions: whether he had stated in a suicide note his wife was innocent; whether he had told police he was asleep during the attack; and if he told a relative that police thought he was just like his father, who family members have said hit his wives.But each time, Zeigler invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself.

State District Judge David Garner ended the questioning, saying that it was obvious Zeigler wouldn't answer any questions."

So only one defense witness.

 

[less0305]

Hope this is a quick and just verdict!!

 

[RNmomnFL]

Wow! Only one defense witness for the mother. And it's a coworker of the stepfather. I guess there was no one else to support the claim that she was being unduly influenced. That claim doesn't seem to hold water. I wonder if this is a preview of what will occur at the stepfather's trial in that there isn't any defense for this crime. As I said before, I hope justice is swift & mighty.
As always, RIP Riley!

 

[Kat]

Jury has started deliberations:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6242897.html

"Prosecutors are asking jurors to convict a mother accused of helping to beat her 2-year-old daughter to death, calling her a "cold-blooded liar" who kept hitting the child even as she pleaded for the torture to stop.

Galveston County District Attorney Kurt Sistrunk repeatedly slammed his fists into the prosecution table in an attempt to recreate for jurors the fracturing of Riley Ann Sawyers' skull as she was thrown across a room during the discipline session."


"Jurors began deliberating shortly after 4 p.m. after two hours of closing arguments."

 

[SFAladyjack]

http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=575112431a3acf14

Mother-in-law testifies in capital murder trial

By Chris Paschenko
The Daily News
Published February 1, 2009



Although Nellie Zeigler’s husband didn’t approve of “ready-made marriages,” she said the family opened their home to Trenor and Riley and quickly came to love and adore the vibrant, charismatic and intelligent toddler who brightened their lives.

Tension Mounts

Royce Zeigler worked for a company contracted to create schedules for petrochemical companies, earning $54,000 annually, but Nellie Zeigler, who was nearing retirement, offered to baby sit Riley if Trenor would consider working or college.

“She didn’t want to work, and I said Royce could use some help,” Nellie Zeigler testified in Judge David Garner’s 10th District Court.

Galveston County Criminal District Attorney Kurt Sistrunk asked Nellie Zeigler to describe how Trenor and her son would interact or discipline Riley.

“Kim didn’t show love or attention to her and never embraced her,” Nellie Zeigler said. “She’d let her go wherever, at the house, stores. She wasn’t a lovable person.”

Sistrunk asked Nellie Zeigler and her son Hiram Zeigler if they saw Trenor physically discipline Riley. Both described a situation when Hiram Zeigler was on the floor of his home, drawing in coloring books with Riley. Tension escalated when it was time for Trenor to leave.

“Kim joined Riley and (Riley) threw Crayolas at her,” Nellie Zeigler said. “She shook Riley and said pick up the Crayolas. She abruptly took Riley by the hand and walked briskly out the door.”

Disciplined With Belt

Trenor, in a four-hour video interview with Sgt. Mike Barry of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, described how Royce Zeigler told her to whip Riley with a belt if she refused to behave.

Nellie Zeigler recalled going to the couple’s home in June to deliver milk and snacks, saying she knocked on the door, but it took Trenor a while to answer.

“Kim had a belt wrapped around her shoulder,” Nellie Zeigler testified.

The following week, Nellie Zeigler picked up Riley on Saturday morning, eventually changed her diaper and was disgusted with what she saw.

“Her little butt was bruised, greenish, yellowish, purplish, and I got mad,” Mrs. Zeigler said. “I let her watch cartoons, anxious for Kim and Royce to come over.”

Nellie Zeigler told the couple she disapproved of the belt discipline, saying both dropped their heads.

“‘Mom. This is never going to happen again,’” Nellie Zeigler said of how her son replied. “After that, I never saw bruises on her again.”
_____

Something is just OFF in the Zeigler family. Why didn't MIL report the bruises? And why are they just "confronting" Royce and Kim about their suspicions, rather than act on them?? If they thought it was Riley...why didn't they call the police?? There's something I just can't follow here.... I think this is a family that is used to covering things up.

 

[RNmomnFL]

So grateful to NZ for telling the truth about the use of the belt in discipline of Riley even at the risk of making her son look bad. Thank you! Even though it is just heartbreaking. A child still in diapers getting bruised by a belt. For the parents to hang their heads when confronted about it shows they knew it was wrong. Argh!

 

[RNmomnFL]

Didn't take long. Guilty verdict for mother in Baby Grace case. Sorry for any errors but I'm crying again.
(Snipped)


A jury convicted Kimberly Dawn Trenor of capital murder in the beating death of her two year old daughter, whose body was put into a plastic box and stored for up to two months in a storage room before it was tossed off the railroad bridge next to the Galveston Causeway.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6242162.html

 

[concernedperson]

Didn't take long. Guilty verdict for mother in Baby Grace case. Sorry for any errors but I'm crying again.
(Snipped)


A jury convicted Kimberly Dawn Trenor of capital murder in the beating death of her two year old daughter, whose body was put into a plastic box and stored for up to two months in a storage room before it was tossed off the railroad bridge next to the Galveston Causeway.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6242162.html

Took less than 2 hours to put that monster away for life.