GREENSBURG, Pa., May 17 (UPI) -- The attorney for a woman accused of first-degree murder in the torture-slaying of a Pennsylvania woman said Tuesday his client may not testify.
Angela Marinucci, 18, is accused of torturing and killing a mentally challenged woman, Jennifer Daugherty, 30, of Mount Pleasant Feb. 8, 2010.
Prosecutors in the trial in Greensburg say Marinucci, boyfriend Ricky Smyrnes, 25, Melvin Knight, 21, Amber Meidinger, 21, Peggy Miller, 28, and Robert Masters, 37, kept Daugherty captive for more than two days, tortured her and then killed her in a Greensburg apartment.
Daugherty's plans were to travel to Greensburg Feb. 8, spend the night with Peggy Miller, a friend, visit a doctor the next day, and then return home to Mount Pleasant, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.
When Daugherty's parents heard news reports of a body discovered in Greensburg Feb. 11, they contacted police.
Daugherty suffered dozens of injuries, including three fatal stab wounds to the heart, many bruises on her head, slash wounds on her neck, and cuts and tears all over her body. A fatal dose of Zoloft, an antidepressant, was also found in her system, pathologist Cyril Wecht of Pittsburgh, who performed an autopsy, testified.
County Detective Robert Weaver testified Marinucci admitted there was friction with Daugherty over her romantic interest in Smyrnes.
"Everybody was mad at Jennifer because she was trying to interfere with Angela and Ricky's relationship," Weaver said.
