WATERFORD (WWJ) - A Waterford woman charged in the shooting death of her husband has taken a plea deal in the case.
Tina Talbot pleaded guilty Thursday to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter in the death of her husband, 45-year-old Milosz Szczepanowicz. In exchange for her plea, charges of open murder and felony firearm were dropped.
Under the plea agreement, the maximum sentence Talbot could receive is 29 months behind bars. But her defense attorney told The Oakland Press it's possible the 51-year-old could be sentenced to probation.
"This is a very nice lady that was a prisoner in her own home, afraid and abused for a long period of time," Jerome Sabbota told the newspaper. "She felt there was no way out."
Authorities say Talbot called 911 on Sept. 14 to report that she had killed her husband. Officers found his body in the backyard of the couple's home on Meadowood Street, near Cooley Lake and Lochhaven Roads.
The couple's 7-year-old son was at home at the time, but was unharmed.
Family and friends describe Szcepanowicz as a controlling monster who abused Talbot for decades. She reportedly went through a four-day stretch of beatings and sexual abuse from Szcepanowicz, which ended with his murder. Relatives said it was a "do-or-die" situation for Talbot, who underwent surgery and spent several days hospitalized after the killing.
Sentencing is set for April 4. Talbot remains free on bond.
