SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A defense attorney says a woman accused by police of being high-priced prostitute and abandoning a Google executive after shooting him up with a fatal dose of heroin would never have wanted him to die because he was paying her well.
Larry Biggam, whose law firm is representing 26-year-old Alix Tichelman, said after a court hearing on Wednesday Tichelman had every reason to continue the relationship with 51-year-old Forrest Hayes.
Tichelman pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter, great bodily injury and heroin possession. Prosecutors have said they are still reviewing the case and may bring additional, more serious charges against her.
Police say Tichelman did not help Hayes or call 911 as he went unconscious after she administered heroin to him.
According to police, surveillance footage from the yacht shows Tichelman gather her belongings, casually step over Hayes’ body to finish a glass of wine, clean up a counter, then lower a blind before leaving the yacht on Nov. 23.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
