VADP

Inmate gives up appeals---execution date set for April 12

Daniel Lee Zirkle

 In September 2000, Daniel Lee Zirkle was sentenced to death for the murders of Christina Zirkle and Jessica Shifflett in August 1999. Zirkle was 31 years-old when the crime was committed.

 The murders occurred on August 2, 1999. Jessica Shifflett was babysitting Christina at their home in Mount Crawford. Zirkle stabbed to death 14 year-old Jessica (his step-daughter) and abducted four year-old Christina (his daughter). Zirkle then drove to Rockingham County. At an overlook in the George Washington National Forest, Zirkle slit Christina's throat then tried to take his own life. His motive in the murders was to get back at Barbara Shifflett, the girls' mother. Barbara Shifflett and Zirkle had lived together for 6 years. Just prior to the August murders the 2 had separated. Police had responded to several domestic violence calls from the residence. On the day of the murders, Barbara had gone to the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office to have a warrant sworn out against Zirkle. When Barbara returned home, she found Jessica dead. Sheriffs discovered Zirkle, with Christina's body, a short while later.

 On July 17, 2000, Daniel Lee Zirkle pleaded guilty to the murders. Zirkle was sentenced to death in Page County for the killing of his daughter and received a sentence of death in Rockingham County for the killing of Shifflett.

 Zirkle has been on death row since August 28, 2000.