HARTFORD— A Connecticut woman has lost her bid for a new trial in a murder-for-hire case that landed her in prison for life and was depicted in books and TV shows.
A court clerk told The Associated Press on Wednesday that a Superior Court judge rejected arguments by former lawyer and Ledyard resident Beth Carpenter that mistakes were made at trial.
Carpenter was convicted of murder and conspiracy in 2002 for plotting with her lover and boss, Haiman Clein, to kill her brother-in-law, Anson “Buzz” Clinton.
Carpenter and her parents feuded with Clinton over custody of his daughter. Clinton was shot by hit man Mark Despres in 1994 in East Lyme. Clein is serving 35 years in prison, and Despres is serving 45 years.
Carpenter’s lawyer says they plan to appeal.
