New Jersey Woman Pleads Guilty To Lesser Charge In Fiance's Slaying
TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — A woman accused of stabbing her fiance and then leaving him in a car outside a hospital last year has pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter. Ciara Williams, 27, of Brick, initially was charged with murder in the death of Dennis Power.
However, the couple had a long history of domestic violence and Ocean County prosecutors said Thursday that "legitimate self-defense claims" and other issues that arose during the subsequent investigation led them to make a plea deal.
The stabbing occurred while the couple argued in their Brick Township apartment on Sept. 29. Williams then drove Power to the hospital before returning to the apartment and cleaning it, prosecutors have said, adding that she then avoided authorities for more than 24 hours.
Power, 35, was unconscious but still breathing when hospital staff found him in the vehicle, but he died shortly afterward.
Williams will be sentenced Sept. 4.
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