Ep 2. Web Of Lies

In Death Row Stories season 4 episode 2, titled Web Of Lies, viewers are taken through the shocking case of convicted murderer, Penny Brummer. Brummer was sentenced to death row in 1995 for the murder of a Florida mother and her young daughter. The case was particularly brutal, and Brummer’s actions led to her being dubbed as one of Florida’s most notorious female killers.

The episode starts by outlining the details surrounding the murders. The victim, Shelly Boggio, was a mother to a six-year-old daughter, named Christina. In 1993, both Shelly and Christina went missing, and their bodies were later discovered in a ditch. It was discovered that they had been brutally murdered in their home, with Shelly being shot in the head while Christina was slashed with a knife.

For years, police officers were unable to make any headway in the case, until a prison informant came forth with information that put Brummer on their radar. The informant claimed that Brummer had confessed to her role in the murder while serving time for another crime.

Surprisingly, Brummer’s defense team didn’t argue that their client was innocent; they instead maintained that she didn’t deserve the death penalty. They argued that there were mitigating factors that played a role in the murders, and that Brummer was suffering from severe mental illness at the time of the incident.

The episode then dives deeper into Brummer’s past, exploring her struggles with her sexuality and mental health. The defense team argues that Brummer was sexually abused as a child, and this trauma played a significant role in her mental illness later in life. Brummer was also diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

The web of lies that the court navigated through is explored in detail in this episode. From Brummer's alleged confessions to questionable interrogation techniques used by the police, there are many twists and turns to digest.

The episode also discusses the ethics surrounding capital punishment. Brummer’s defense team made it clear that she did not deny her guilt, but they argued that the death penalty was not suitable for someone with mental health issues.

Viewers are taken through the final moments leading up to Brummer's execution. Despite pleas from her family and the public, Brummer’s execution went ahead.

Death Row Stories season 4 episode 2, Web Of Lies, provides a heartbreaking glimpse into the complexities surrounding capital punishment and mental health issues. While Brummer was a convicted murderer, her mental health issues cannot be ignored. The episode asks difficult questions on whether the death penalty is an appropriate solution for someone who has struggled with severe mental health problems like Brummer. Overall, this is an episode that will leave viewers talking long after the credits roll.