Widow Found Guilty in Slaying of Gulf War Veteran

A woman who sobbed on national television after her husband was fatally shot outside his home sat stone-faced Wednesday as a jury pronounced her guilty of the Persian Gulf War veteran’s murder.

Toni Cato Riggs, 25, faces a mandatory life sentence for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder convictions in the March, 1991, death of Army Spec. Anthony Riggs. Sentencing was set for June 24.

The slaying drew national attention over the irony of Riggs’ safe return from war only to be killed in what initially was thought to be random violence.

Prosecutors said Cato Riggs persuaded her husband to take out a $150,000 life insurance policy before he left. When he returned, prosecutors said, she arranged for his death so she could collect.

The prosecution’s case centered on a series of secretly recorded videotapes of Cato Riggs confessing to plotting her husband’s death.

She was seen trying to get a job with men she thought were the heads of drug families but were actually undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agents.

“The tapes were very conclusive, they did not ask her for any information, she volunteered--too much,” said jury forewoman Jeannette Hayes-Hollis.

Cato Riggs did not take the stand in her defense.

“She was tricked into this confession,” said defense attorney Athina Siringas. An appeal is planned, Siringas said.

Cato Riggs’ brother, Michael Cato, was previously convicted of being the triggerman and is serving life in prison.