Mother’s appeal rejected in Las Vegas child killing

Monday, Dec. 11, 2000 | 11:21 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of a mother who, with her husband, was sentenced to prison for the killing of their 10-month old daughter in Las Vegas and burning the body in Arizona.

The court Friday turned down the petition of Lillian D. Meegan, sentenced to 18 years in prison in 1996 after she pled guilty to child abuse and neglect with substantial bodily harm as the result of the death of her child.

Her husband, James Meegan, is serving a term of life without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder in the shaking death of the child, Francine, in 1990. The child lost consciousness and the couple was unable to revive her. They put the body in a suitcase and drove to Arizona, where James Meegan tossed gasoline on the body, ignited it and buried it.

The death wasn't discovered for five years.

The court rejected claims by Lillian that she was not properly advised of her rights when she pleaded guilty, that she didn't understand the plea bargain and that she was promised probation.

The court said at the sentencing in 1996 that Lillian indicated her ability to read and understand English and she understood and signed the plea agreement. She also indicated then she had no questions about anything.