Julian Clifton Lewis, a 51-year-old electrician, was murdered in his Keeling, Virginia, home on October 30, 2002. His death was the result of a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by his wife, Teresa Lewis, for financial gain. The scheme also resulted in the death of Julian's 25-year-old son, Charles 'C.J.' Lewis.
Teresa Lewis conspired with two men, Matthew Shallenberger and Rodney Fuller, to kill her husband and stepson in order to collect on a $250,000 life insurance policy.
In the fall of 2002, Teresa met Shallenberger and Fuller at a Walmart and began a sexual relationship with them. She promised them a portion of the insurance money to carry out the murders. In late October, Teresa withdrew $1,200 from the bank to purchase the murder weapons.
On the night of October 30, 2002, Teresa left the back door of their mobile home unlocked, allowing Shallenberger and Fuller to enter while Julian and C.J. were sleeping. Shallenberger shot Julian multiple times, while Fuller fatally shot C.J. While her husband lay dying, Teresa searched his pockets for money. Before succumbing to his injuries, Julian Lewis was able to tell a sheriff's deputy that his wife knew who was responsible for the attack. Teresa waited for over an hour before calling 911, initially claiming that unknown intruders had broken in and shot her husband and stepson.
The investigation quickly centered on Teresa Lewis due to her suspicious behavior and a failed polygraph test. She eventually confessed her involvement in the murder plot. Both Matthew Shallenberger and Rodney Fuller were arrested and ultimately sentenced to life in prison for their roles in the killings. Shallenberger later committed suicide in prison in 2006. Teresa Lewis was convicted for her role as the mastermind of the plot and, in a highly publicized case, was sentenced to death. She was executed by lethal injection on September 23, 2010.
