Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 6 115

 

Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 6 115

A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES

SECOND EDITION

 

In the fall of 1985, Nickell took out a $40,000 life insurance policy on her husband, naming herself as sole beneficiary. Bruce Nickell also held a state employee policy that paid $31,000, with an additional $107,000 awarded in the event of an accidental death. To Nickell, $176,000 could easily make her dreams into reality.

Nickell’s daughter, Cynthia, who was living with the Nickells at the time of the murder, eventually came forward and told about the conversations she had had with her mother during the five years leading to the offense. Bruce Nickell’s death was a popular topic of conversation with Stella Nickell. Cynthia testified in court that her mother had studied library books on poi- sons and experimented with toxic seeds, either hemlock or foxglove. Bruce’s only reaction was to become lethargic. When Stella learned that a recovering alcoholic was susceptible to other addictive substances, she discussed the idea of killing him with heroin, cocaine, or speed, so it would appear to be just an accidental overdose.