Woman pleads not guilty to seeking to kill husband

A Greenwood woman who authorities say tried to pay a man to kill her husband pleaded not guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to commit capital murder, a prosecutor said.

Mary Byers-Diaz was charged with the felony Monday after an investigation into claims by her handyman she offered him a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe in exchange for killing her husband, authorities said.

Byers-Diaz appeared in court Wednesday and was assigned a public defender, according to a statement from Daniel Shue, prosecutor for Arkansas’ 12th Judicial District in Fort Smith. Her bond was kept at $200,000.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Byers-Diaz was experiencing “marital problems” and told the handyman she would pay him to kill her husband.

The handyman was “disturbed,” the affidavit said, and he reported the conversations to police Sept. 5. The next day, he was sent by authorities to discuss the plan with Byers-Diaz while he wore a recording device.

During the conversation, Byers-Diaz and the man agreed he would stun her husband with a stun gun, break his neck and then place him in a “simulated” car crash, according to the affidavit. In exchange, the man would receive a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and “other property,” investigators wrote.

The affidavit said Byers-Diaz told the man she would persuade her husband to come to the residence and would signal to the handyman by calling him and talking about her dog, Abba.

When the handyman asked Byers-Diaz if she was sure about wanting to go through with the killing, Byers-Diaz said yes, and the man left with the Tahoe and a signed title, according to the affidavit.

Byers-Diaz’s trial has been set for March 2.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Byers-Diaz was experiencing “marital problems” and told the handyman she would pay him to kill her husband.