Woman pleads guilty in Ill. torture slaying

[October 27, 2009]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A woman has pleaded guilty to the Illinois torture killing of a pregnant, developmentally impaired mother.

Thirty-seven-year-old Michelle Riley pleaded guilty Monday in Madison County, Ill., to first-degree murder in the death of 29-year-old Dorothy Dixon. She faces between 30 and 45 years in prison; a sentencing date has not been set.

Investigators have said Dixon was a mother with a childlike mind and another baby on the way when she was found dead in January 2008 at a house in Alton, Ill. Police say Dixon was beaten with a plunger handle, burned with a hot glue gun and shot at with a BB pistol.

Investigators said Riley befriended Dixon but pocketed monthly Social Security checks she got because of her developmental delays.

[Associated Press; By JIM SUHR]

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