Opening statements in the third trial of a western Massachusetts woman charged with strangling her paramedic wife is expected to get underway.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that after a week of jury selection, the prosecution and the defense in the murder trial of Cara Rintala are scheduled to make their cases to the Hampshire Superior Court jury on Wednesday.
Rintala is charged with strangling Annamarie Cochrane Rintala in the couple's Granby home in March 2010. The body was found at the bottom of the basement stairs.
Rintala has maintained her innocence. Her first two trials ended with hung juries.
Unlike the first two trials, however, jurors may be allowed to consider a manslaughter charge this time. The judge will rule on that matter after all evidence is presented.
