Murder Charge for Pa. Fiancé in Wedding Day Stabbing

Witness: Whitehall Township bride-to-be made threats before killing

A Pennsylvania woman charged with fatally stabbing her fiancé hours before they were set to be married allegedly killed the man after he raised his hands palms-up and asked her, “Is this what you really want to do?”

Na Cola Franklin, 31, was ordered to stand trial on a criminal homicide charge Thursday after a Lehigh County district judge heard testimony describing the Aug. 11 death of Billy Brewster.

Brewster's cousin, Nakia Kali, testified that Franklin threatened to stab him and Brewster's 13-year-old son when they tried to calm her down. He said Franklin then stabbed her husband-to-be in the heart with a kitchen knife at their Whitehall Township apartment.

Brewster, 36, stumbled to the second-floor landing outside the Olympic Circle North apartment and collapsed. He died at a hospital soon after the stabbing.

John Waldron, Franklin's attorney, said his client was in an abusive relationship, and that Brewster had been drinking that night and was trying to leave with their 9-month-old baby.

Kali testified that he and his wife were in town from Chicago and were staying with the couple. Around 9 p.m., Brewster said Franklin was irritated and suggested leaving “to give her time to calm down,” Kali said.

Brewster, Kali and Kali's his wife went to a strip club, returning around 1 a.m. Brewster asked Franklin to get dressed and go back out with him to pick up food for their guests, prompting the argument that led to the stabbing, Kali said.

The pastor who was supposed to marry the couple came looking for them at the apartment building that morning, according to a witness. Distraught people in suits and dresses - presumably wedding guests - then began showing up throughout the day.

Franklin cried during parts of Thursday's hearing.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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