The Briley brothers’ parents were not directly harmed by their sons’ criminal activities. However, they were undoubtedly affected emotionally and psychologically by their sons’ notorious crime spree and the subsequent legal consequences.
Linwood, James, and Anthony Briley were responsible for a series of murders and violent crimes in Richmond, Virginia, during the late 1970s. Their criminal activities culminated in a death sentence for two of the brothers and a lengthy prison term for the third. The impact on their family was profound, as the Briley parents had to cope with the reality of their sons being convicted murderers and facing the death penalty.
The Briley family was known to have a complex dynamic. Their father, James Briley Sr., was described as a strict disciplinarian, while their mother, Bertha Briley, was considered more nurturing. Despite their efforts to raise their children in a stable environment, the Briley brothers embarked on a path of crime at an early age.
Throughout the trial and the media coverage, the Briley parents maintained a low profile. They were rarely mentioned in news reports, and little is known about their personal lives after their sons’ arrests. The emotional toll of having children on death row and one serving a life sentence can only be imagined, as they faced the stigma and the heartbreak associated with the crimes.
The Briley brothers’ reign of terror ended when Linwood and James were executed in the electric chair in 1984 and 1985, respectively, while Anthony received a life sentence with the possibility of parole. The parents, having already endured the loss of their sons to the criminal justice system, had to bear the additional burden of their executions. The full extent of how the Briley brothers’ actions affected their parents’ lives remains largely private, as the family did not seek public attention during or after the trials.