Friday, August 6, 2010

Phoenix, AZ: AZ woman ruled competent for hammer slaying trial

August 5, 2010 6:54 PM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - A Gilbert woman accused of killing her husband with a claw hammer last year has been found competent to stand trial on first-degree murder.

Maricopa County prosecutors say a judge has ruled that Marissa DeVault understands the court proceedings enough to assist with her defense on one open count of murder.

The 32-year-old DeVault is accused of crushing her husband's skull with a hammer as he slept on Jan. 13, 2009. Authorities say 34-year-old Dale Harrell died three weeks later in a hospital.

DeVault told Gilbert police that she snapped after enduring years of physical, sexual and mental abuse at the hands of Harrell and was preparing to divorce him. She is scheduled to appear in court for a status conference on Sept. 2.

Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

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