Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 29, 1993 TAG: 9307290233
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FARMVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Barbara Mullens, 16, admitted in Prince Edward County Circuit Court to shooting her mother and stepfather last September while the couple slept in the bedroom of their mobile home.
The trial of her stepsister, Jennaleigh Mullens, on first-degree murder charges was continued until September.
As part of her plea agreement, Barbara Mullens pleaded guilty to the murder counts and one firearms charge.
In exchange, the prosecution dropped a capital murder charge. The prosecution did not seek the death penalty.
Judge J.R. Snoddy added two years for the firearms conviction to the girl's consecutive life terms.
With time off for good behavior, she will be eligible for parole in 14 years under the plea agreement.
Had she gone to trial and been convicted of capital murder, she would have had to serve 25 years before being eligible to apply for parole.
Barbara and Jennaleigh Mullens were arrested in October for the Sept. 26 shootings of their parents, Marvin D. Mullens, 45, and Carolyn S. Mullens, 46.
Each had been shot seven or eight times with a .22-caliber semiautomatic rifle, according to authorities.
Barbara Mullens was Carolyn Mullens' daughter from a previous marriage, and Jennaleigh Mullens was Marvin Mullens' daughter from his first marriage.
When police found the bodies, it appeared they had been killed in a robbery.
The two girls told authorities they were awakened by strange voices and ran to their grandparents' house for help.
Sheriff Gene Southall said deputies doubted the girls' story from the beginning.
After a two-week investigation, the girls were arrested.
Barbara Mullens was charged with capital murder, and Jennaleigh with first-degree murder.
In a confession to authorities, the sisters said Barbara pulled the trigger but said both planned the shooting.
Jennaleigh was not in the bedroom during the murders, the girls said in their statements.
Prosecutors said they never uncovered a motive for the slayings.
by CNB