Crime & Safety

Collazo Lawyers Want Charges Dropped

Defense attorneys in a Williams Township capital murder case ask judge to dismiss the death penalty.

Attorneys representing a woman in a Williams Township homicide case say their client shouldn't be facing the death penalty.

The Morning Call reports that lawyers for Elizabeth Collazo filed arguments Friday asking a Northampton County judge to remove the possibility of the death penalty and to dismiss burglary and theft charges.

Collazo is charged with killing ex-boyfriend Mark Werkheiser as he slept in his home on Browns Drive in March. Prosecutors have said they will ask for the death penalty if she's convicted.

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The law requires at least one aggravating circumstance for the death penalty. In this case, prosecutors argue it's Collazo breaking into Werkheiser's home and also stealing his wallet and a rare coin.

Her lawyers say there's no evidence she was breaking in, or that she stole. They also seek dismissal of a police recording in which Collazo talks to a friend about killing Werkheiser.

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Collazo's trial is due to begin in November.


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