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Cynthia Sommer, who is suspected of poisoning her husband, pleaded not guilty Friday. More

Woman Suspected Of Poisoning Husband Pleads Not Guilty

Woman Suspected Of Killing Husband Possibly Used Insurance Money

POSTED: 4:30 pm PST March 10, 2006
UPDATED: 6:26 pm PST March 10, 2006

A woman who allegedly poisoned her Marine husband and used money from his life insurance policy to get breast enhancements and throw lavish parties pleaded not guilty on Friday.

Cynthia Sommer, 32, was extradited from Florida, where she had been held without bond. She was charged with murder with two special circumstances that make her eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutors haven't decided yet whether to seek a death sentence.

She is accused of killing her husband, Marine Sgt. Todd Sommer, who died Feb. 18, 2002, in his home at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

His death was initially ruled a heart attack, but tests of his liver later found levels of arsenic 1,020 times above normal, according to a document filed in San Diego Superior Court.

Arsenic is a colorless and usually tasteless poison that causes stomach distress followed by death.

Cynthia Sommer's attorney denied that his client killed her husband.

"Her heart is broken," said lawyer Robert Udell. "It ripped her family. She didn't kill him. She loved him. He loved her. They were looking forward to a long, happy life together."

The defendant received a $250,000 lump-sum payment from Todd Sommer's life insurance policy and a $6,000 death gratuity, as well as $1,871 a month from the Department of Veterans Affairs, authorities said.


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