Fight Over 'Presidential Politics' Cited In Crockpot Killing

LIVONIA, Mich. (AP) - A defense lawyer says an argument about presidential politics led to a fight in which his client is accused of beating her 66-year-old friend to death with a crockpot.

A suburban Detroit judge on Thursday ordered 50-year-old Tewana Sullivan of Detroit tried for first-degree murder in the Oct. 22 death of Cheryl Livy at Livy's home in a Livonia senior housing complex.

Police Officer Michael Lewallen says he found Sullivan sobbing near her mortally injured friend and saying she was "sorry" she "did it."

The Detroit News  reports that defense lawyer John McWilliams says the women were arguing over "presidential politics" and "whatever the controversy is between Democrats and Republicans."

First-degree murder carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison without parole. Sullivan's next court date is Feb. 12.
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