FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- A Forth Worth, Texas, judge rejected a plea agreement in the case of a woman, charged in connection with her husband's death, after her claims of innocence.
State District Judge Scott Wisch threw out Michele Williams' guilty plea Monday and recused himself and her lawyers, at their request, from the case. He then set her murder case for trial, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Tuesday.
Williams was initially charged with murder in the 2011 death of her husband Gregory Williams, but later reached a plea agreement charging her with tampering with evidence and deadly conduct. Prosecutors withdrew the plea deal, citing Williams' claims of innocence in a television interview.
In the interview with the television program "48 Hours," Williams commented she was "falsely accused" of her husband's murder and hoped, by talking with the media, she encouraged the responsible person to come forward.
In court Monday, Wisch repeatedly told Williams if she was not guilty of the crimes to which she pleaded guilty, she must have a trial, but if she is guilty, she should plead guilty.
