Thursday, July 22, 2010

Clearwater, FL: Accused killer takes stand in trial

Rachel Wade says stabbing was self-defense

Updated: Thursday, 22 Jul 2010, 6:23 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 22 Jul 2010, 3:17 PM EDT


CLEARWATER - The woman accused of stabbing and killing another woman in Pinellas County took the stand in court Thursday afternoon.

Rachel Wade, 20, is accused of killing Sarah Ludemann.

IN court, Wade described a timeline of events leading up to the stabbing. She said she faced repeated harassment and threats from Sarah Ludemann.

Wade said the night of the stabbing, she had been getting repeated phone calls from a private number, and at one point realized they were coming from Ludemann.

She went over to a friend's house and was sitting outside, she said, when a van pulled up with Sarah Ludemann inside.

Wade said Ludemann got out, came over to her, grabbed her hair and began hitting her.

Wade said during the altercation, she grabbed a knife she had with her, and started swinging. She said she didn't realize anyone had been cut until she saw blood. Wade said the whole altercation happened in seconds.

Earlier Thursday, the prosecution wrapped up its case after playing voicemails Wade sent to Ludemann containing death threats.

Ludeman saved the voicemails months before prosecutors say she was stabbed to death by 20-year-old Rachel Wade.

Those recordings became public Thursday morning.

Wade is accused of killing Ludeman in April last year.

Defense and prosecuting attorneys agree there was a long-running feud over a boyfriend between the two girls.

The threats played for the jury were made nine months before their final confrontation.

Detectives admitted the victim in this case also made threats against the defendant.

Wade is charged with second degree murder with a possible penalty of life in prison.

No comments: