Lothians woman facing life for killing her lover in US

Mother-of-two Andrea Carr, 35, had been expected to avoid trial after being ruled "mentally incompetent", but a court has decided she is able to face charges.

The mother-of-two, whose mother lives in Dumbiedykes, is already said to have admitted killing her abusive lover William Polen at their Ohio home on 9 December, 2008. Carr is said to have waived her right to a jury trial and faces a jail term of 18 years to life if convicted.

The former Oxford University student claimed her partner had been physically abusive for the duration of their two-and-a-half-year relationship. And it has now emerged she told police that on the night of the killing Mr Polen had threatened her because she made an "unauthorised stop" at a fast food restaurant after a shopping trip.

Originally from South Queensferry, she moved to the US about 13 years ago after marrying an American and having a daughter with him. She then began a relationship with Mr Polen, with whom she has a 16-month-old son.

Carr had originally been ordered to a Columbus psychiatric hospital after pleading not guilty to Mr Polen's murder on the grounds of insanity, but doctors have now decided that she is well enough to understand the allegations against her and to assist in her defence.

However, her defence attorney Sam Ferruccio told the Stark County Court there remained reports indicating his client was insane at the time of the incident.

Hope Konovsky, assistant Stark County prosecutor, said: "Basically, what your mental state is right now at the time of the trial may not be the same as your mental state at the time of the incident, especially in this case, where the incident was one-and-a-half years ago."

According to papers filed with the court, Carr shot her partner just above the left ear and later slit his throat after it appeared he was still alive and moving.

Carr told police that Mr Polen was upset she had made an "unauthorised stop" at a fast food restaurant after a shopping trip. She said he had called her names and threatened to break her arms if she did not do what she was told.

Carr said she went to bed around midnight, got up around 2am, retrieved a gun from a cabinet and shot Polen while he slept on the couch. She said she later drove around for 45 minutes contemplating suicide.

Carr's mother, Anne Mill, did not want to comment on the latest development when contacted by the Evening News.

However, she was reported as saying previously that her daughter had been the victim of domestic abuse. "She told me he (Polen] attacked her and the baby. He even beat her when she was pregnant.

"But I think she just snapped. She was worried about the baby's safety. She told me he pushed the baby over and kicked him. She was terrified of him."

If found not guilty by reason of insanity, Carr could continue to be held in a secure mental facility.