Deadly Wives: Pamela Sanders Williams Lanier poisoned her husband, Ivy Dorian Lanier for the insurance money; Sentenced to LWOP

Summarized only to the extent required to discuss the assignments of error brought forward on appeal, the evidence presented at defendant’s trial tended to show that she and Dorian Lanier were married in 1993 and lived near Chinquapin.   Dorian and defendant had a contract to grow turkeys for Nash Johnson and Son Farms.   Dorian used a turkey medication called Nitro-3 on his turkeys, which was administered through the turkeys’ water supply.   Dorian had a proportional medication system between his house and his turkey houses, where Nitro-3 was mixed with water in a bucket called a proportioner;  the mixture then ran through a water hose to the turkey house.   The hose had a bypass valve that allowed one to draw fresh water, without Nitro-3, out of the hose.   Nitro-3 contains arsenic and stains yellow any object with which it comes in contact.

The evidence showed that Dorian hurt his leg while operating his bulldozer the first week in September 1997, after which his health began to decline, and his behavior changed as well.   Alli Bradshaw (“Bradshaw”), a family friend, testified that she lived with defendant and Dorian from September until 4 November 1997.   Bradshaw testified that during that period, Dorian was frequently bedridden and delirious, lying in his bed naked.   On other occasions, Dorian sat in his recliner and was too weak to cross his legs.   Bradshaw described one incident when Dorian was bedridden for three days, unable to move or talk and had soiled the bed.   Dorian ate only melted ice cream during this period, which defendant fed him from her fingers.   On another occasion in late September, Dorian returned home and fell out of his truck onto the driveway where he lay, “acting like a zombie.”   Dorian had diarrhea and “messed up his pants” before defendant could get him inside the house.

Several witnesses testified that defendant tried to prevent family and friends from seeing Dorian while he was ill.   Defendant became furious when anyone asked her to take Dorian to the doctor, even though he was ill and was not eating.   Numerous witnesses documented that Dorian did not like doctors and did not want to go to the doctor, relying instead on defendant to “doctor” him.   Defendant often opened up capsules which she said were antibiotics and poured them into Dorian’s soft drinks;  she also administered injections of Phenergan and Nubain.  Phenergan is used to reduce nausea and vomiting;  Nubain is a painkiller, sufficient quantities of which will put a person into a stupor.   Despite his illness, Dorian received professional medical care only sporadically between September and his death in November.

The evidence also showed that defendant suffered from numerous medical problems in 1997, including migraine headaches.   She had sores on her buttocks, which she thought were shingles, and frequently showed the sores to other people.   As a result of her illnesses, defendant used a lot of medication, including Nubain and Phenergan.   Over a four-year period ending in 1998, defendant purchased over $10,000 worth of prescription medication from the Kenansville Drug Store.   She also went to an urgent care clinic as often as three days each week to get shots of Phenergan and Nubain until January 1997.   Defendant had no insurance to cover her medical expenses.

Dr. Richard Jordan first treated Dorian on 14 September 1997, when Dorian complained of a bitter taste in his mouth.   When Dorian came in for an office visit on 27 September 1997 he was delirious and sick.   Despite his declining health, Dorian Lanier did not see a doctor until 13 November 1997.   During this doctor’s appointment on 13 November 1997, Dorian was in terrible pain and his cognitive function was impaired.   Defendant stated that she had been giving Dorian injections of Phenergan, which the nurse instructed defendant to stop doing so that an upcoming diagnostic test would give accurate results.   Despite this advice, defendant continued giving Dorian injections of Phenergan.

Dorian saw Dr. Jordan on 17 November 1997 with symptoms of nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.   He had lost 21 pounds since his office visit on 27 September.   Dorian was disoriented and could hardly walk or talk.   Dr. Jordan instructed defendant to take Dorian to the emergency room immediately because he thought Dorian was on the verge of death.   Defendant took Dorian to the emergency room, but did not stay for treatment.

Because Dorian’s condition was worsening, he was unable to complete the diagnostic test scheduled for 18 November 1997.   Defendant called the doctor’s office on 19 November and stated that Dorian was nauseated, moaning in pain and vomiting.   Defendant did not follow instructions to take Dorian Lanier to the emergency room immediately and continued to care for him at home.

Jackie Hatcher, a family friend, visited Dorian on the afternoon of 19 November 1997, to find him “wobbling” with orange skin.   Hatcher insisted on taking him to the hospital and went to find help to carry Dorian to his truck.   Defendant was preparing Pedialyte for Dorian to drink and checking his blood pressure.   When Hatcher returned to the house, Dorian had a seizure and Hatcher told defendant to call 911.

Dorian arrived at the emergency room by ambulance at 6:25 p.m. He was vomiting, weak, and his skin looked orange.   After a short time, Dorian began vomiting undigested food and a red liquid that smelled like alcohol.   Efforts to resuscitate Dorian were unsuccessful and he died at 10:57 p.m.

Murder suspect surrenders to court
State of North Carolina v Pamela Sanders Lanier 2004
Excerpt from “Deadly Dose

Movies/Documentaries
Deadly Women: If Looks Could Kill

INMATE INFORMATION

PAMELA S LANIER
Offender Number: 0745655
Inmate Status: ACTIVE
Probation/Parole/Post Release Status: INACTIVE
Gender: FEMALE
Race: WHITE
Ethnic Group: EUROPEAN/N.AM./AUSTR
Birth Date: 11/09/1955
Age: 58
Current Location: NCCI WOMEN

Names: LAMMONDS, PAMELA S
LANIER, PAMELA SANDERS
LAMMONDS, PAM
LAMMONDS, PAMELA SANDERS

Most Recent Incarceration Summary

Incarceration Status: ACTIVE
Total Incarceration Term: LIFE
Conviction Date: 11/29/2001
Projected Release Date: LIFE
Primary Crime: MURDER FIRST DEGREE (PRINCIPAL)
Primary Crime Type: FELON
Special Characteristics: LIFE
Current Status: FELON
Admission Date: 11/29/2001
Admitting Location: NC CI WOMEN
Control Status: REGULAR POPULATION
Next Control Review: UNKNOWN
Custody Classification: MEDIUM
Next Custody Review: 12/01/2014
Current Location: NCCI WOMEN
Previous Location: SOUTHERN CI
Last Movement : RECEIVED FROM SOUTHERN CI
Last Movement Date: 03/14/2011