[Jerryzuki]

Prosecutors: woman and lover in closet planned to kill husband




September 27, 2006

NASHVILLE (AP) -- Prosecutors said in opening statements of the trial of a woman and her lover who was living in a bedroom closet in her home that the two defendants orchestrated the slaying of her husband.

Martha Freeman and her lover, Rafael Rocha-Perez, are accused of first-degree murder in the death of her husband, Jeffrey Freeman, who was strangled and beaten to death in April 2005 at the Freeman home south of Nashville.

Investigators have said Rocha-Perez was living in a bedroom closet at the upscale Freeman home, apparently without Jeffrey Freeman's knowledge, when he was killed.

Freeman has told police her husband was slain after he heard Rocha-Perez snoring and went to investigate.

Prosecutor Katy Miller told the jury Tuesday the slaying was premeditated murder.

The defense argued that although Freeman waited a day to call police after her husband was slain, she could have used that time to hide his body.

The trial is expected to last three days.

Freeman and Rocha-Perez could face life in prison if convicted.