Athena Wortham, Woman Who Killed Intruder Who Choked Her, Is Accused of Murder
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| Is self defense murder? |
But now an apparent act of self defense has landed her in jail. San Francisco police said they arrested 42-year-old Wortham on suspicion of murder.
"I'm not sure exactly why, but as of now she is charged with murder," says Officer Carlos Manfredi. "The inspectors have to look into whether she was a victim or a suspect -- or both." Wortham was asleep inside her Bayview home on the 700 block of Kirkwood Avenue at about 4:47 a.m. when she heard noises. She woke up and allegedly found 40-year-old Anthony Payne strangling her. Manfredi said she grabbed a knife and stabbed him to death.
While she told police she was acting in self defense, there was enough reason for inspectors to believe she murdered him, he said.
"As long as you are in danger you have the right to protect yourself," Manfredi told us. "All I can say is it is an active investigation."
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