WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Jurors in northeastern Pennsylvania are trying to decide whether an elderly woman intentionally poisoned her son's girlfriend with antifreeze 3 1/2 years ago.
Authorities in Luzerne County allege that 81-year-old Helen Galli of Wyoming laced fruit juice with antifreeze that was then consumed by 43-year-old Dawn Simyan in March 2010.
Prosecutors allege that Galli poisoned Simyan, who was hospitalized for three weeks, because she didn't want the younger woman coming between her and her son.
Defense attorney Joseph Sklarosky Sr. accused Simyan of having poisoned herself in order to get attention from Victor Galli because she was jealous of his relationship with his mother.
Jurors deliberated for about three hours Wednesday and are to resume considering the aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment case Thursday.
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