Nova Scotia ‘Black Widow’ attempted murder trial to be cut short, hinting at plea bargain

An elderly woman who's been dubbed Canada's Internet black widow could be headed for a plea bargain on the charge of attempting to murder her latest husband.

The Halifax Chronicle Herald reports Crown prosecutor handling the case of Melissa Shepard says the original 12-day trial scheduled to start Monday before a judge alone in Nova Scotia Supreme Court has been cut to just a day and a half.

“There has been significant developments in the Crown’s case,” Diane McGrath told the newspaper, adding that she has told all the prosecution witnesses that they won't be needed.

“Until all the information is before the judge, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on it.”

Shepard, who's been variously pegged at 77 or 78 years old, is charged with attempting to murder Fred Weeks of New Glasgow, N.S., by administering a noxious substance — the sedative drug benzodiazepine — the just four days after they were married.

[ Related: 'Black Widow' charged with attempted murder ]

The Canadian Press reported the couple married last September a few weeks after they met while she lived at a New Glasgow seniors apartment complex.

The Crown is alleging Shepard dosed Weeks while they were staying at a Sydney, N.S., bed and breakfast. Police said when the couple checked into the place, Shephard told the innkeeper they had a rough ferry crossing from Newfoundland and her husband wasn't feeling well, CP said. Weeks was hospitalized and police were notified.

A subsequent search of Shepard's apartment turned up bags and bottles of prescription drugs and a handwritten note about the need to get power of attorney over Weeks' finances, according to court documents reported by CP.

Shepard has a notorious history. She served two years of a six-year sentence for manslaughter in the death of previous husband Gordon Stewart of Dartmouth, N.S., who she drugged and ran over twice with a car in 1991 near Halifax, CP said.

Another marriage to Robert Friedrich of Florida ended with his death of cardiac arrest following a year of failing health, the Chronicle Herald said. Shepard was not charged but Friedrich's family claimed she had emptied his bank accounts during his illness.

In 2005, Shepard, then using the name Melissa Friedrich, was sentenced to five years in a Florida prison for stealing US$20,000 from 73-year-old boyfriend Alexander Strategos, whom she met on the Internet.

According to CBC News, police alleged she also drugged Strategos and got access to his bank account, but that was not proven.

[ Related: Police were asked to warn husband of 'Internet Black Widow' ]

As for Weeks, he apparently has no hard feelings.

"People want her hung up from a tree and cut to pieces," he told CP. "I'm just very glad to get it over with and have it come to an end.

"I'm not worried about what she gets. Whatever she gets is what the judge will give her and that's what she deserves."

His marriage to Shepard was ruled invalid after it was determined the marriage certificate contained false information.

But the effects of the drug overdose have left Weeks with residual problems, including memory lapses.

"I can't remember like I used to," he said, adding doctors have told him it will be some time before its known if the damage is permanent.