Eastpointe Man Withdraws Plea, Faces Trial In Wife's Death
MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ/AP) - A 47-year-old Macomb County man charged with second-degree murder has withdrawn his plea and decided to go to trial in his wife's shooting death.
Anthony Webster told a Macomb County judge on Wednesday that he wanted to withdraw the no contest plea he entered in October. His wife, 33-year-old Christina Lazzana-Webster, was killed in January 2013 and her body was found in the couple's Eastpointe home.
Webster was set to receive a minimum sentence of eight years in prison plus an extra two years for a felony firearm charge in the October deal with prosecutors. Webster learned he faced an additional four years after sentencing guidelines were calculated earlier this month.
His attorney says Webster denies any culpability in the death.
After receiving a call asking that someone check on Lazzana-Webster, Eastpointe Police officers went to Webster's home in the 23000 block of David Avenue, near Kelly Rd. and Gratiot, where they found her body. She had been shot in the chest.
Police have said the couple, who together owned Big Top Popcorn in Eastpointe, had a history of violent arguments.
Webster, who remains in the Macomb County Jail, is due back in court on Jan. 15 for a pre-trial conference.
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