Mother Sentenced in Childrens’ Deaths

RIVERSIDE — A 40-year-old mother, convicted of murdering three of her children as the result of a deadly explosion when she was making methamphetamine in their home, was sentenced Friday to 45 years in prison plus three back-to-back 15-years-to-life terms.

“In practical terms, she’s going to be 85 years old before she can first be considered for parole,” said Riverside County Deputy Dist. Atty. John Davis, who prosecuted the case.

Kathey Lynn James is believed to be the first person in the nation convicted of second-degree murder for deaths arising from the manufacture of methamphetamine. A judge had ruled in a landmark decision that making “speed” is an inherently dangerous crime.

Three of James’ children--ages 1, 2 and 3--died Dec. 26, 1995, when the woman’s trailer home east of Temecula exploded when fumes from the drug-making process ignited. An older child escaped the inferno, along with James and two men.

Davis said James had shown “an extreme indifference to human life throughout the course of her meth manufacturing, over a period of years. Her children died through her own greed.”

James made no comment before being sentenced by Judge W. Charles Morgan.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the sentence,” Davis said.