In 2004 I obtained a copy of 'Rough Trade' as I wanted to read the story Steve Jackson had woven around the unfortunate death of Anita Paley in Colorado USA. After corresponding with Robert Riggan for the past almost 8 years I have come to the conclusion that he is not a murderer. I cannot explain the vaginal wound that he supposedly inflicted with a knife, but I do believe that Anita Paley jumped out of Robert Riggan's van and subsequently received the severe head injury that led to her demise. Robert has always said he is innocent and I believe him in that he did not personally inflict the head injury. I know he would like to tell me more but it is not easy to do this via prison mail. Perhaps one day someone will research his case and bring the truth to light. AnnEz/2007
Anita Paley
ROBERT LEE RIGGAN Jnr.. This picture (taken from the book 'Rough Trade') makes him look a hard man but I think he hides his true self behind very thick walls. I am hoping that some day at least one of his sons will contact him.
I have been corresponding with Robert Riggan since September 1999.
We are very good buddies and talk about most things. I would like to think he is innocent of this crime and even tried to get him help but was told that his chances of relief are zero. Because of my correspondence with Bobby I have come to learn more about the terrible punishment of knowing that one is condemned to spending the rest of one's natural life in a small cell and doomed never to feel sunshine or rain on one's skin. I send him pictures of my garden to keep him in touch with nature. All in all Bobby ( or Vladd as I call him because he lives mostly at night) has a great sense of humour, misses and longs to hear from his two sons, always sends me a card at Christmas and on my birthday and is artistic.
When I read about him I wrote to Rick Halperin to ask whether it would be wise to correspond with him and whether he had an address I could send a letter to. He responded with a yes..write him..and sent me an address. It took 4 months to receive a reply and I'm glad I did. We have spoken once on the phone and I hope we will again. Life without parole is slow torture for sure!
Annez/Sweden/03
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FELONY MURDER The felony murder rule/law says a person is guilty of first-degree murder if he or she participates in, or is fleeing from, some other crime and a death results, intended or not.
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Robert Riggan escapes death against his will..
A panel of 3 judges Friday unanimously rejected the death penalty for a killer who had begged to die rather than spend his life in prison.
The case was the 1st test of a new law that puts the death penalty decision in the hands of judges instead of juries. The decision denies opponents the opportunity to challenge the new death penalty proceedings.
The key factor cited by the judges was the jury's failure to convict Robert Riggan, 39, on the charge of first-degree murder after deliberation in the death of 22-year-old Anita Paley.
The jury deadlocked on that charge, but convicted him of 1st-degree murder while committing or fleeing from felony sexual assault.
"Just as we must have tremendous respect for a jury's verdict of guilt or non-guilt, we must have respect for the fact that the jury that heard the evidence in this case was divided and deadlocked on this enormously critical issue," the judges said in an opinion read by presiding Jefferson County District Judge Frank Plaut.
Paley, a Capitol Hill prostitute, died of a severe brain injury and her vagina was slashed with a knife after she went to the mountains with Riggan May 16, 1997. Riggan sped away in his van after a passing motorist saw him dragging her body near a cabin above Black Hawk.
"A civilized society should not and cannot take the life of a human being, even one who commits an especially heinous, cruel and depraved offense, if a jury could not conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual in fact administered the fatal injury," the judges said.
Plaut read the 12-page decision of the panel in a packed courtroom Friday morning as Riggan sat quietly and his defense team clasped their hands and bowed their heads, tensely awaiting the decision.
District Judges R. Brooke Jackson of Jefferson County and Jack Smith of Arapahoe County joined in the unanimous decision.
Riggan shook his head after he learned his life had been spared. He made a rambling 15-minute statement to the judges in which he again proclaimed his innocence. Riggan contends Paley was suicidal and fatally injured herself when she jumped from his van.
"I'm relieved," said defense attorney Dennis Hartley. "It was a thoughtful decision. I didn't expect anything less. It was a correct decision under the circumstances of this case."
Riggan maintained his innocence and restated his desire to die dkuring a telephone interview after the hearing. "Life in prison is very rough," he said. "People don't realize it, but once you're there for a while, people would rather die."
Jefferson County District Attorney Dave Thomas said he accepted the decision, but believes Riggan deserved the death penalty.
"I think we did the appropriate thing in this case," he said. "Under these kinds of circumstances, I would do it again."
The decision rejecting the death penalty means that a Supreme Court challenge of the state's new law must wait for another case.
Most likely that will come in the Brandy Duvall murder case, in which Danny Martinez and Francisco Martinez both face death penalty sentencing hearings in Jefferson County within the next few weeks.
Although prosecutors failed to prove that Riggan committed intentional felony murder, the judges said, they proved that Riggan committed his offense in an "especially heinous, cruel or depraved manner."
The judges cited the 3-inch knife wound to Paley's vagina that resulted in massive blood loss.
"After inflicting the wound, Mr. Riggan attempted to hide her body and left her to die, lying in a pool of blood resulting both from the vaginal injury and the head injury. The panel finds this conduct to be disgusting and outrageous."
Defense attorneys proved mitigating factors, including Riggan's minor criminal history, his diagnosis of anti-social personality disorder and the deplorable conditions of his upbringing, the judges said.
"Mr. Riggan's upbringing and, in particular, the lack of emotional attention and support from his parents, are nothing short of tragic," the judges said. "Regrettably, this was a family plagued by incest, sexual abuse, squalor, poverty and emotional neglect of Mr. Riggan and his siblings."
But the judges said that doesn't mitigate or excuse the depravity of his crime. Still, the jury's deadlock on the intentional first-degree murder charge convinced the panel that his life should be spared.
The deadlock may mean that one or more jurors didn't believe Riggan caused Paley's fatal head injury, the judges said. It could mean that at least one juror believed Riggan's claim that she was suicidal and jumped from his van. The judges concluded that trial evidence could leave reasonable doubt.
"A sentence of death cannot be imposed based upon possibilities or scenarios," the judges said. If the jury couldn't agree on what Riggan did, the judges concluded, a death sentence would be inappropriate and contrary to legislative intent and Supreme Court precedent.
(source: Denver Post)
Robert Riggan, Jr. was the first person to have his fate decided by a panel of three judges.
He had been convicted in Jefferson County in the death of a 22-year-old woman. Mr. Riggan was represented by Nathan Chambers and Dennis Hartley, who presented evidence that he came from a "horribly dysfunctional" family and suffered from antisocial personality disorder. On April 16, 1999, Judge Frank Plaut, Judge R. Brooke Jackson and Judge Jack Smith sentenced him to life without parole. According to the Sentencing Order, the judges were swayed by the fact that the jury had convicted Mr. Riggan of felony murder and had been unable to agree that he committed murder after deliberation. This deadlock could have meant that jurors had accepted the defense theory that the victim suffered the fatal brain injury when she jumped or fell from his van. The judges wrote that "a civilized society should not and cannot take the life of a human being, even one who commits an especially heinous, cruel and depraved offense, if a jury could not conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual in fact administered the fatal injury." - CADP
Note: I have copies of 2 affidavits stating that the trial Judge Plaut was very biased towards the prosecution throughout the whole trial AnnEz
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LETTERS FROM 'VLADD'
111103
I have decided to bring Robert Riggan out of the closet and post parts of his letters that tell of life in a small cell. He spent four years at Colorado State Penitentiary and believe me, they were not easy! Most of the bad parts he has left out but some I did get to share. This October he moved to a new facility because he picked up enough credits to allow him to start the journey into prison population. The transfer was good in that he now has a slightly smaller but more "comfortable" cell and he can sit on his bed and write letters. He loves to draw but sadly he may not have coloured pencils at this new place. I hope this ruling changes soon. He is essentially happy with the move but ..as is usual with good things..there is a down side. Another inmate from CSP was also transferred to the new place and the two of them had locked horns over the fact that the other guy used to bang on his steel desk 24 /7. Now "Desk Banger" has threatened to attack Riggan first chance he gets when they go out on the yard together. If Riggan fights back he gets to lose all his privileges ( and maybe his life ) and also goes back to CSP. The BIGGEST loss will be that he has no TV over Christmas AGAIN! In spite of all the ghastly things he is accused of..he loves Christmas and old movies ( knows everything about them ), is a car freak, reads and remembers all he reads and is a very loyal pal. So..I am a loyal pal too and that is why I have written the DOC about the problem ( but, being a meddling foreigner have received no response) I have written 9News and hope hear back from there..and I'm putting out his address in case someone reading this may want to write him!
Robert Riggan # 100589 Centennial Correctional Facility ( C2-8 ) P.O. Box 600 Canon City, CO 81215-0600 U.S.A.
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111003 - A letter to Christine in Oregon from Bobby Riggan.. ...Hi Ann, just a short note to let you know that I got a letter (actually an early b-day card and letter) in the mail yesterday from Bobby. Doesn't sound like thing's are going well at all where he is at. In his short letter he wrote:
"I would like to call Ann and you before everything here goes south." (not quite sure what that meant, but I am assuming it isn't good) "This move was not the best thing for me.......if it goes bad in here, I will go back to CSP and I will be put under severe restrictions. I sure could use your prayers..."
So I just wanted to let you know about this. I wrote him a letter the other day and just a short one right now. Unless he can pay for the call he won't be able to call me because I have no collect call's on my phone and they are blocked from coming in. I am sure that it has to do with that guy that want's to fight him or causing him problems. I just hope that Bobby does his best to keep his cool and stay clear from him.......or atleast tell someone about it that might be able to help.......instead of getting into a fight....not a good idea!!
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111303..
GREAT NEWS!! Today I called the facility where Bobby is incarcerated and was told that there had been an investigation and the two prisoners have been split up! This is really great news and if anyone happened to be a "mover and shaker"..thank you!! 8))...AnnEz
121003..
Today I received a letter and a really cool Christmas card from Bobby. It seems he is doing alright and says the guards treat the prisoners better at this facility. Now that is something for the books!! 8)) A problem is that prisoners have to pay for many things at this new place and state handouts..2 dollars 50cents / month... don't go very far...as you can imagine! What would help BIG TIME is if we outsiders could send the prisoners in Colorado ( and all states) STAMPS!! I think I am going to look into this matter! A "happening" was when a worker prisoner snapped off his broom handle and attacked another prisoner who stepped aside just in time to avoid being gutted! I don't know what brought on the assault..but it sounds pretty nasty! Heavy lockdown ensued but things are slowly getting back to normal. That's all from Vladd for this time around..AE 123003..
I love the world's mailing system..NOT! On the other hand..I'm glad it still exists as how else would I hear from my prison penpals?
Anyway..I had two letters from Vladd this week and he seems to be doing OK except that he had a molar pulled and is very sad about that!
( He's the second friend this year that has had dental attention..and the only way is OUT! Very sad when one thinks of the way dentistry has progressed over the years.) Teeth should only be pulled when there is absolutely no other way. The reason I'm complaining about the postal service is that I got letter no 2 first and it was full of unexplained holes. Then today letter no 1 arrived and filled in the blanks. It seems the tooth roots were very long and reached up into the sinus cavity. The hole left by the extracted tooth should have closed up by now but it seems to not have done so and when he drinks water it comes out thru his nose ( some of it). Hopefully they will check out and repair the problem in a couple of weeks. I would hate him to get some horrible infection.
It seems the program he is now part of is still rocky but he hopes to get into population at the end of it. The authorities are really trying to make it work, he says.
I had sent him some cash for Christmas and he bought himself 4 choc bars and ate them up and thoroughly enjoyed them. I just wish
Colorado would allow the prisoners to receive stamps. Hopefully that will happen some day soon! Anyway he sounds happy and that makes me happy!!
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14th January 2005..
I noticed that almost a year has passed since I last wrote about Bobby Riggan. I have been corresponding with him tho' and he is still where he was altho' life has not been easy for him. He has called me twice and we had one good chat ( the 2nd call as the 1st one was interrupted due to the guys in the group having to go back on lock-down.)
I myself have done nothing much to try to bring more attention to his case and sentencing but have noticed that he gets quite many visitors to his webpage. One visitor is, I know, a friend in Switzerland. The others seem to be from people who are doing a little reseach as they spend time reading. I am always hoping one of his sons will eventually write him. I know he longs to hear from them. His Dad writes him now and again and also a sister but not often.
I myself have not heard from Bobby since Dec 30th and so hope he is doing alright. I have written letters and sent him a Christmas card but don't know if he received them. I did receive back a letter I'd sent him in October. In spite of the address being clearly legible it seems the letter travelled to another state ( Miss ) was not claimed and so was returned to me. Now it was the first time in 5 years that this has happened but one does wonder as prison mail is always threatened and he did tell me some of his mail had gone missing.
Today I went out a'looking for some added info I maybe could find on the Net and found these letters written to Westword.com about the case and the main witness for the prosecution... " Duty and the Beast As a member of the jury in the Robert Riggan trial, I read with great interest Steve Jackson's "Trial and Tribulations," in the November 19 and 26 issues. To quote Paul Harvey: "And now the rest of the story." This filled in the pieces of the puzzle that we were not given.
Regarding Ms. Cordova, I am pleased to read that she is trying to take back control of her life. While she perhaps does not feel like a hero, I would like to go on record stating that in my eyes, she is a hero. She came forward (honestly) when numerous individuals would not and those who did were less than honest.
Ms. Cordova was a very credible witness, surely more credible than the highly paid defense witnesses (Dr. Sperry, Mr. Beaver). It is a shame that there are not more honest people in the world like Ms. Cordova. Perhaps Mr. Clinton should take some lessons from her. Mr. Jackson, I would like to thank you for writing this article. I know that the time and effort you spent on this was at times very heart-wrenching, as it was for all involved with this case (except, perhaps, Mr. Riggan). I would also like to thank the members of the prosecution, especially Ms. Easter and Mr. Hall, for their tireless efforts to bring this beast to justice.
Randy Bowman via the Internet
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I happen to know Joanne Cordova personally. I am very disappointed that you would waste the readers' time or your own on a worthless human being like Joanne Cordova. She owes society a long-overdue apology for the misery she has put everyone she has come in contact with through. I did not feel the least bit of sympathy for the woman, and I feel your article was slanted to give her some.
Name withheld on request
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I am so proud of Jo Cordova, my cousin, for the tremendous courage she showed by letting her story be told. Additionally, I want to say that I feel a certain degree of guilt over what has happened to Jo and her beautiful children, both of whom have always been the center of her life. Although it may not appear that Jo considered her children when she made the choices she did, I am here to say that the circumstances surrounding Jo's path in life could, in fact, have happened to any one of us. There but for the grace of God go I. Jo comes from a very loving and close family. For years now, her parents, brother, sisters and the rest of us have worried and prayed for Jo. Speaking for myself, I had no idea to what extent Jo's troubles had escalated. Being a very private, independent and proud person, she did a superior job of keeping her troubles hidden.
My heart hurts when I think perhaps if I had made it a point to insist on knowing what was wrong, I might have been able to influence her in a positive way--though I doubt I would have been much of a role model at the time. That Jo is intelligent has never been in question. She excelled at everything she involved herself in; this is why I know she will make it back and be a better person for it. It's time things turn around for this very worthwhile person.
Please, anyone who reads this, know that this can happen to you, your loved ones, anyone. Some people cannot escape the horrible trap crack cocaine and other drugs set. Jo is not trash. She comes from an upper-middle-class family that loves her very much. I love her very much. She is a good person.
Connie Carpenter via the Internet
I would like to write something helpful for Bobby but need info. I know someone sent him forms to fill out from the Wisconsin Innocence Project where I had placed him years ago. I hate the thought of him spending the rest of his natural life in prison. Should anyone be writing him please tell him to write me soon and that I miss his sense of humour and his poetry.
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022305 Sadly our mutual friend, Christine, passed away on the 7th Feb 05. She had been ill for many years but was a strong Believer and her illness never stopped her from being a friend to prisoners. She taught them 'Jesus' and had a few regular penpals.. Bobby being one of her 'stars'. She was the contact person between he and I as letters can take up to 10 days to travel from Sweden to the USA.( I guess the problem lies mainly with the mailroom as letters from USA to Sweden usually take 6 to 7 days.) Sad tho' I am at her leaving us..God is faithful and when He closes one door He tends to open others. She is at peace and I'm happy for her. I had a letter from Bobby yesterday and it contained rather bad news..for him. He has always said how much he misses his kids and how he wishes to hear from them. He has sent them cards for their birthdays and at Christmas but has never been sure whether they received them. To my knowledge none were returned..so who knows but they! Anyway..the news is worrying and I'm hoping things will get sorted out without any serious repercussions. Perhaps, as a result of what has happened..he will get a response from at least one of the boys. I am praying hard for that!
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052505 Today I received a letter from 'the dungeons' and Bobby seems to be in good health. His two boys have birthdays next month and he has sent them cards and is hoping and praying they will get them this time around. Well miracles do happen..so here's hoping from me too. Happy birthdays, Guys..your Dad loves you and misses you and wishes he could tell you both that.
It seems that some of his incoming mail went astray, so if you have written him and get replies from others at the same address..be careful.
Cheers..AnnEz
053107 For the past 7 or 8 years I have been making webpages. It is time consuming and I did a course in html in order to avoid using webpage editors.
Today I received news that made me realise that webpages can be very helpful in connecting the dots. With God working in the background, the sky's the limit.
Way to go, Bobby!! 8)
As usual Bobby wishes his sons a 'happy birthday' and says he prays for them both constantly. Hopefully one day he will get to speak with them.
"Hang in there, guys..your dad loves ya bunches!"
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*** New 5th Nov 2007
It seems that Timothy Masters may be on the way to getting a new trial. His original defense attorney is the same man who defended Robert Riggan, namely Nathan Chambers.
** Masters was released from a life prison sentence on Jan 22nd 2008 after serving almost nine years for murder.
Thomas I will send your message to your dad today but he has no address to reply to so you will need to write him a letter yourself.
Cheers and stay out of trouble!
Your dad loves you both very much!
thomas santana riggan July 17, 2009 01:42 PM PDT hey im not sure ull get this but if u do hows it goin i got out dentention a while back and went to job corp for a whil and got mi certificates in auto motive and am goin to join the army to be airborne im sorry for not respondin earlier iv been busy alot and i didnt have a address to mail anything out but if u get this write back
