A Billionaire's Daughter Killed Her Boyfriend — Some Say the Punishment Didn't Fit the Crime
"We all make mistakes. That doesn't mean she's a bad person. That doesn't mean she belongs in the state penitentiary."
By Jennifer TisdaleMay 20 2024, Published 1:fifty three p.m. ET
According to Time Magazine, Susan Cummings inherited a love for guns from her billionaire father Samuel Cummings, founding father of the International Armament Corporation. This is one thing her boyfriend, Argentinian polo participant Roberto Villegas, would regularly brag about to friends. The couple met in 1995 when Cummings was once 33 and Villegas used to be 36. Cummings lived at her circle of relatives's home in Virginia where she used to be studying how you can play Polo at the Willow Run Polo faculty. Villegas was a teacher.
Most other folks described Cummings as shy and reserved with the exception of for when it got here to animals. She used to be an avid animal lover who saw the same thing in Villegas, who used to be a kind and patient trainer. He was additionally a very good polo participant. Despite their variations the 2 fell in love however in September 1997, Cummings shot and killed Villegas. Where is she now? Here's what we know.
Before we get into where Susan Cummings is now, let's dive into the homicide.
Before the couple started courting, Cummings invited Villegas to turn out to be a "resident pro on her new Ashland Farm team," reported the Washington City Paper. Instead of paying rent, Villegas took care of the horses and used to be given a place to are living. He got here from an excessively modest family in Argentina whilst Cummings was surrounded by means of wealth. Although their bank accounts couldn't be extra different, they had been each beautiful down to earth. Pretty quickly, Cummings was once accompanying Villegas in all places and was fortunately guffawing beside him.
In an episode of Vanity Fair Confidential, a special facet of Cummings was once revealed. She was once extremely jealous which often ended in arguments. One tale that circulated on the farm concerned her twin sister Diana, who playfully swatted Villegas's bottom when he was once going into the home. Cummings flew off the deal with and despatched him to bed as though he have been a kid. Both sisters denied this ever happened, but a number of other folks claimed Villegas instructed them the tale. Regardless, things weren't perfect.
The root of their issues was once additionally cash. Cummings had complete monetary control of Villegas who in turn, almost fully depended upon her. It was an imbalanced courting that was once certain to fall apart. To pass from everything to not anything was once a horrifying prospect for Villegas who in step with Cummings, began threatening her when she tried to get a divorce with him.
In August 1997, Cummings went to the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office to document a home abuse record. She stated that Villegas was once the jealous person in their courting who went on violent rants when she brought up the subject of breaking up. Because of this, Cummings claimed she used to be terrified he would possibly in truth hurt her. Still, she refused to get a restraining order towards Villegas. Things came to a head a month later.
Susan Cummings killed Roberto Villegas and got a slap on the wrist.
On Sept. 7, 1997, Cummings and Villegas argued about the fact that he was once going to play in a polo match that day. He had just been in a single the day prior to and Cummings, an avid animal-lover, was frightened about the horses. At 8:fifty one a.m., she called 9-1-1 and advised the dispatcher, "I need to report a shot man, and he’s dead," in keeping with the Washington City Paper. She then told the operator he attempted to kill her.
Cummings told police Villegas attacked her with a "bone-handled knife he’d won at a polo match several years earlier." There were slash marks on Cummings's palms and the knife was found near Villegas's body. She shot her boyfriend 4 times. Her lawyers painted a picture of a terrified girl appearing in self-defense while the prosecution alleged Cummings shot Villegas in a jealous rage after he stated he wanted to depart her.
Ultimately she used to be found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and was once sentenced to 60 days in prison, according to the Washington Post. "I feel very happy," said Cummings concerning the choice. Her attorney stated, "All of us have a breaking point. We all make mistakes. That doesn't mean she's a bad person. That doesn't mean she belongs in the state penitentiary." Since then Cummings has remained out of the general public eye except a 2003 lawsuit she settled with Villegas's son.
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