DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A woman who was involved romantically with an Iowa man charged with killing his pregnant wife says she thought he would ultimately leave his wife.
Rachel McFarland testified Wednesday that she was in love with Seth Techel. She said she communicated with him electronically about their plans to be together.
The Ottumwa Courier reports jurors saw and heard aloud dozens of text messages between McFarland and Techel. Some were sexual and involved racy photos. Others included messages sent just hours before Lisa Techel was found dead.
The 23-year-old Seth Techel is charged with first-degree murder and nonconsensual termination of a human pregnancy in the 2012 shooting death of his pregnant wife. His first two trials ended in hung juries. He has pleaded not guilty.
