Thursday, January 5, 2012
Rigling Enters Plea In Wife’s Death
Rather than stand trial for murder, Lawrenceburg resident Phillip Rigling has entered a plea in connection with the 1992 death of his wife.
Phillip Rigling, 76, of 341 Jackson Avenue, entered a “no contest” plea this week in what officials described as the “murder for hire” death of Joann Rigling, age 57.
On June 19, 1992, Joann Rigling was found dead inside Phil’s One Stop, a market she owned with her husband. The cash register was stolen from the business. Rigling perished as the result of a single gunshot wound to the head.
Lawrence residents Jimmy Dale Hogan, now 46, and Tammy Smith, now 41, were subsequently convicted in connection with the murder. In 1997 Hogan’s first trial ended with a hung-jury. During a second trial that year, he was convicted of first degree murder and especially aggravated robbery.
He was sentenced to twenty years on the burglary charge and life on the murder count. In 1998, Smith entered a “best interest” plea to one count of second degree murder. She was sentenced to twenty-three years. She has since been released.
Hogan was later granted a new trial due to “ineffective counsel.” It was while preparing for that trial in 2010 that Hogan told investigators it was former Lawrenceburg resident Curtis Staggs, 41, of Fredrickstown, Missouri, who had actually committed the murder.
He alleged that Phillip Rigling had solicited, then paid Staggs $50,000 to kill his wife. At that time Hogan had already served 16 years of his sentence. In exchange for his testimony, Hogan was given a plea arrangement that would allow him to be released after four more years.
As a result of the ensuing investigation a Lawrence County Grand Jury opted to issue indictments charging Staggs with first degree murder, felony murder, and aggravated robbery. Rigling, was indicted on charges of criminal responsibility for first degree murder, felony murder, and aggravated robbery.
During a jury trial last June, Staggs was found guilty of felony murder and aggravated robbery. He was subsequently sentenced to life for the murder conviction and twelve years on the robbery count, with the sentences to run consecutively. At this time Staggs is appealing the conviction.
Court officials indicate that under the agreement reached, Phillip Rigling “admitted no guilt.” The agreement dictates that he be sentenced to ten years imprisoned. Factoring in his age and failing health, they indicate that he will be required to serve only one year, with that sentence to be served at the Lawrence County Detention Center. Rigling is to surrender himself for incarceration on February 1.
