A special trial has opened for a western Pennsylvania woman who shot her female lover twice in the head before also hitting her in the face with a claw hammer.
The defense acknowledges 28-year-old Erin Everett did those things to 21-year-old Tory Minnick after lying in bed together in Everett's parents' home in Jerome.
What's being contested is whether the March 2011 killing is first-degree murder carrying a life sentence or third-degree, which carries a maximum 20- to 40-year prison term.
Somerset County District Attorney Lisa Lazzari-Strasiser wants a judge to find Everett guilty of first-degree murder. Everett's attorney argues it was a crime of passion deserving the lesser verdict.
Prosecutors say Everett was upset because Minnick was also spending time with her ex-boyfriend.
Police say Everett called 911 and initially claimed an intruder killed Minnick.
