SPOKANE, Wash. – Martie Soderberg, the woman accused of plotting to kill her husband, took the stand in her trial Wednesday afternoon.
Soderberg is charged with attempted first degree murder and solicitation to commit first degree murder.
She gave a very emotional and tearful testimony. When the defense asked if she loved her husband, she said, “Yes, I do, I love my husband.”
When asked by the defense, Soderberg denied making any plans to kill her husband. Prosecutors then asked about the recorded conversation Soderberg had with the man she asked to kill her husband.
"That was my voice being stupid, saying stupid s*"** that I should've never said," Soderberg said on the stand.
Prosecutors then asked about another comment Soderberg made in the recording about wanting to buy a gun.
"My intention was to have the gun not even for that. For my purposes and my self-defense," Soderberg replied.
As the questioning continued, Soderberg became very emotional and at one point started yelling at prosecutors. Prior to Soderberg's testimony, prosecutors called her husband, Russell, to the stand. He only confirmed they are still married. Prosecutors also called Dennis Bjerke, who was romantically involved with Soderberg, to the stand. He said Soderberg had asked him to kill her husband.
Court will resume Thursday with closing arguments and the jury will begin deliberations.