New trial for woman in man’s death

Associated Press

LIMA, Ohio

An Ohio appeals court has ordered a new trial for a woman accused of compelling her 10-year-old stepson to fatally shoot his father in 2003 and say it was an accident.

Judith Hawkey, 49, of Oakwood, was convicted of aggravated murder, insurance fraud and child endangering and was sentenced in 2013 to life in prison. But judges from Ohio’s Third District Court of Appeals ruled this week that testimony from three witnesses should’ve been inadmissible at the trial and that Hawkey should get a new one.

The court found the evidence was based primarily on the testimony from her stepson, Corey Breininger.