When Frances Elaine Newton was 21, in 1987, she took out life insurance policies on herself, her seven-year old son Alton, and 21-month old daughter, Farrah. She already had a policy on her estranged husband, Adrian.

On the night of April 7 that year, Adrian, Alton and Farrah were all shot to death with the same pistol - a gun owned by Newton's new boyfriend. Two weeks later, she filed claims to collect $100,000 on those insurance policies and the next day police charged her with three counts of capital murder.

Her defense: She did take the gun with her to visit her estranged family, but only for protection. When she left their place, she said, they were all alive.

A Texas jury didn't buy it. The convicted her and sentenced her to death. Now, 17 years later, Newton is scheduled for execution this week. She would be the third woman Texas has executed since 1982, but she's filed a petition seeking clemency. So far, no dice.

Her lethal injection is scheduled for Wednesday.