NEW YORK, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Linda Stein's assistant, set to go on trial, says in a video confession she did not mean to kill the New York celebrity real estate agent, officials allege.
The New York Daily News said Sunday the videotaped confession by Natavia Lowery, 28, is expected to be among the first pieces of evidence introduced in her trial when it officially gets under way on Monday.
The video allegedly shows a tearful Lowery admitting she hit Stein six times with a yoga stick in response to the real estate agent's alleged abusive behavior.
"My intention was not to hurt her ... not to kill her," Lowery allegedly says in the video. "It was like, 'Leave me alone.'"
Lowery is facing charges of murder, manslaughter and theft. She is accused of stealing money from Stein before and after the woman's death in October 2007.
A defense lawyer not involved in the criminal case told the Daily News the videotaped confession is key to the trial given the lack of available forensic evidence in the killing.
"The vivid, detailed videotaped confession -- that is by far the single strongest piece of evidence," said the legal expert, whose identity was not released.
