A woman who shot and killed her husband, the mayor of the small Los Angeles suburb of Bell Gardens, after an argument broke out at their home earlier this week because she had been abused by him for many years, her attorney said on Thursday, according to Yahoo News.
Levette Crespo's lawyer said that the stay-at-home mother, whom was questioned by police after the shooting, but was later released, was a victim in the case along with her husband, Daniel Crespo.
Claudia Osuna, an attorney for the couple's daughter and son, said the children vouched for their mother's story.
Crespo, 43, was arguing with her 45-year-old husband at their condominium in Bell Gardens on Tuesday when their son, Daniel Crespo Jr. intervened, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials say.
A physical fight began between father and son, that's when Levette Crespo got a gun and shot her husband multiple times, according to the sheriff's department. Daniel Crespo was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police have revealed who the owner of the gun was and no charges have been filed in the case. In addition to serving as mayor of Bell Gardens, Crespo worked as a Los Angeles County probation officer for over 20 years.
Neighbors had never complained about hearing arguments coming from the house, Daniel Crespo's friend Joaquin Madrigal, who met the late mayor 25 years ago, said in an interview.
Madrigal described Levette Crespo as reserved, quiet and serious, someone who tried to shield herself and her children from her husband's political involvement.
