North Sound News

Court overturns woman’s conviction for soliciting son to kill father with rat poison

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — An appeals court has overturned a Mount Vernon woman’s conviction for soliciting to kill her former husband.

The Seattle Times reports the Washington Court of Appeals on Monday overturned Vanessa Valdiglesias LaValle’s conviction.

>>Trial starts for Mount Vernon woman accused of murder plot involving child

>>Mount Vernon woman found guilty of plot to kill ex-husband

She was found guilty in 2021 for trying to persuade her son to kill his father with rat poison, saying then she, her son and a sibling could live together forever.

The three Court of Appeals Division 1 judges ruled Valdiglesias LaValle’s desire to be with her children forever doesn’t equate to a “thing of value” necessary to support a criminal solicitation conviction.

Valdiglesias LaValle was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Her case will be sent back to trial court.