(WICHITA, Kan.)—
(AP) - Prosecutors are preparing to present evidence to justify a murder trial for a 2003 death initially thought to be an accidental drowning.
Perez is accused of the premeditated murder of Patricia Hughes. She died at a Valley Center compound where Perez and others allegedly lived off life insurance payouts from deceased members of their group.
An attorney for Perez did not return a message seeking comment.
Perez also faces multiple counts of lying on life insurance applications, rape, sodomy, criminal threat and making false statements on credit applications.
