Crime & Safety

Trial Begins in Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot

A visibly upset Susan Williams, a former RVC resident, listens to testimony.

With her grayed hair pulled back in a conservative braid, Susan Williams wiped away tears as prosecutors described her as a greedy woman willing to do, "whatever she wants, whenever she wants to make herself a million dollars richer" during the opening statements of her highly publicized criminal trial Thursday before the Hon. Norman St. George in Nassau County Court.

Williams was arrested on March 4 after she allegedly paid an undercover Nassau County detective  — whom she believed to be a hit man  — a $500 down payment for the $20,000 hit on her estranged husband, Peter Williams. She is charged with second-degree conspiracy; second-degree criminal solicitation; second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument (a class D felony) and fourth-degree criminal solicitation (a class A misdemeanor).

Assistant District Attorney Anne Donnelly said Williams told the undercover detective, "I'd do it myself if I could" when the officer gave her an out and told her to walk away.

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Williams is also accused of forging her husband's signature on a change of ownership form on his $1 million life insurance policy, making her the beneficiary if anything happened to Peter Williams. 

John Carmen, who is representing Williams along with his wife, Susan, painted a picture of a distraught woman going through a nasty and contentious divorce. He urged the jury to view Joseph Labella – the private investigator Williams hired to dig up dirt on Peter Williams, for whom Carmen said is – "a master manipulator."

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LaBella reported the defendant's alleged intentions to authorities, who then set up meetings between the "hit man" and Williams. The district attorney's office said the defendant's "overt actions" were caught on video and audio surveillance, and provided a motive for the crime. LaBella is expected to take the stand.

As the trial broke for lunch Thursday, a handcuffed Williams turned to her family in the courtroom, including her father, smiled and mouthed the words,  "I love you."

Peter Williams took the stand Thursday afternoon, citing testimony about his rocky marriage and the day he met LaBella, who told Peter Williams, "I'm the man that saved your life." 

Peter Williams will continue his testimony Friday morning. The trial is expected to last until Nov. 12. Williams faces 8-1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted.

The Garden City mom of four may or may not take the stand.


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