Ohio woman sentenced in husband’s 2003 slaying

Ohio woman sentenced in husband’s 2003 slaying

DEFIANCE (AP)

A prosecutor says a northern Ohio woman who compelled her 10-year-old stepson to kill his father in a shooting that was initially ruled accidental has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Defiance County Prosecutor Morris Murray says 46-year-old Judith Hawkey, of Oakwood, was sentenced Thursday in Defiance. Hawkey was convicted last month of aggravated murder, insurance fraud and child endangering in Robert Breininger’s 2003 slaying.

Hawkey’s attorney didn’t immediately return a call for comment Thursday.

Murray says the case was reopened last year after authorities learned of new evidence indicating that Hawkey physically and emotionally abused the boy and compelled him to shoot his father, directing him to say it was accidental.

Murray says at least part of Hawkey’s motive was nearly $500,000 in insurance money.