Mother convicted in Christmas Eve killings

Richmond woman gets 25 years for role in double-murder by son
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/sep/14/richmond-woman-gets-25-years-role-double-murder-so-ar-2205800/

Snukals pronounced the sentence after Mines addressed the court in a rambling statement in which she described a version of what happened the night of the killings, indicated that she was sorry for something that happened between her and her attorney at the Richmond City Jail and at one point complained that she was thirsty.

Mines spoke for roughly 15 minutes. Much of what she said was unintelligible. But she appeared to claim that she was powerless to stop her son, Jamal ClemonsÖ, during his rampage inside Bowmer’s home on North 35th Street.

[...]

Mines’ statement today lurched from one topic to another. Much of it was spent giving a version of what happened that night, but she plainly was attempting to attract sympathy, at one point saying, “I don’t want to have to have this over my head; it’s not fair.”

“I use drugs,” she added. “You know what I’m saying? I didn’t do nothing wrong.”

“My mouth is so dry, I need some water,” Mines said. A deputy brought her a cup of water.

At one point the judge said, “I can’t understand you, ma’am.”