Christie Scott's death sentence upheld | Crime

An Alabama appeals court has ruled that Christie Scott deserves to die for the 2008 murder of her son.

Scott was convicted in 2009 for killing her 6 year old son, Mason. Prosecutors argued that Scott intentionally set her Russellville home ablaze while her husband was out of town on a business trip. She then escaped the house with a younger child - leaving Mason to die. Prosecutors say Mason was Autistic, and Scott killed him for insurance money.

Investigators believed the fire started on Mason's bed, but were unable to pinpoint an exact cause. Defense attorney insisted the fire was electrical, and brought on an expert witness to back up the claim. Scott's husband testified in her defense.

Ultimately, the jury decided that Scott was responsible for killing Mason, and recommended a life sentence. However, a month later, the judge in the case overruled them, and sentenced her to die.

Scott's attorneys filed an appeal of that sentence, but Friday, the state ruled that death was appropriate, calling Mason Scott's murder a "horrific crime".