Murder of Roberto Villegas by wealthy heiress Susan Cummings examined on Sins of the South

Sins of the South on Oxygen is investigating the murder of Argentine polo player Roberto Villegas by wealth heiress Susan Cummings at her home in Fauquier County, Virginia.

Cummings was a well-known socialite from Virginia who had inherited a fortune from her father, former CIA agent turned arms dealer Samuel Cummings.

She lived an extravagant lifestyle on a horse ranch but was not well known for partying. However, the community was scandalized when she was arrested for the murder of her boyfriend, Villegas. She successfully claimed it was self-defense and was controversially convicted of voluntary manslaughter and received a sentence of only 60 days.

The couple first met in 1995 and became close over the following year before Villegas finally moved in with her. Villegas was reportedly financially dependent on the heiress, but unfortunately, their relationship became increasingly strained.

On September 7, 1997, Cummings shot Villegas four times in the kitchen of the home they shared. She then dialed 911 and told the cops Villegas had attacked her with a knife.

The police found a knife lying on Villegas’s arms, and Cummings did have some light cuts on her arms, but the cops suspected her wounds were probably self-inflicted.

Susan Cummings defense team claimed Roberto Villegas was abusive

Cummings’s defense team provided many witnesses who claimed Villegas had become increasingly abusive and aggressive toward his girlfriend in the months prior to the shooting. This included punching and publicly berating Cummings.

The prosecution argued that forensic evidence suggested Villegas was sitting at a kitchen table when he was shot, indicating that he had not been attacking Cummings.

However, a jury sided with Cummings, agreeing that her actions were at least partially justified.

Heiress Susan Cummings convicted of manslaughter in death of Roberto Villegas

If convicted of first-degree murder, Cummings would have likely served a life sentence. However, her voluntary manslaughter charge led to a 60-day sentence, and she served only 57 days.

After sentencing, Cummings said, “I feel very happy,” and added that she wanted the world to know “how deeply I appreciate the jury’s consideration.”

Her lawyer, Blair Howard, said, “It’s the lowest sentence [for manslaughter] I have seen.”

A friend of Villegas, Travis Worsham, complained, “Basically, she got away with murder. The only reason the sentence was so minimal was because of the bad things they said about Roberto.”

There were further complaints that Cummings was allowed to serve her sentence at Fauquier County jail in relative luxury compared to other inmates. She was allegedly granted more privacy and visitors and allowed to eat her own food.

Sins of the South airs Sunday at 7/6c on Oxygen.