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A 71-year-old woman accused of fatally shooting her former daughter-in-law outside a preschool in January wrote a letter to a 3rd District judge asking to plead guilty.
"My physical health is deteriorating, and I do not believe it would be in the best interests of taxpayers or of myself to pursue a trial," Mary Nance Hanson wrote in April to Judge William Barrett.
Hanson also wrote two other letters asking for a new attorney.
But during a Monday hearing in connection with the letters, Barrett assured Hanson she had a good attorney in public defender Tawni Hanseen. After listening to the judge, Hanson said she wanted more time to think about both issues.
A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 18.
Hanseen told The Salt Lake Tribune on Tuesday that Hanson, who has no criminal record, does not understand the legal system.
Also, Hanson wants to leave the Salt Lake County jail, which has been "harsh on her" due to her age, even if it means going to prison, Hanseen said.
Hanseen said the case could be resolved short of a trial if prosecutors offered a lesser charge of manslaughter.
Hanson is charged with first-degree felony murder in the death of 34-year-old Tetyana Nikitina, who was shot four times in the head on Jan. 29 at the Salt Lake Community Action Program Head Start, 336 E. 3900 South.
According to charging documents, Hanson walked up to Nikitina's vehicle and began shooting. At one point, she appeared to reload the gun so she could continue shooting, charges state.
Nikitina, 34, had been a preschool teacher at Head Start for two years.
When Nikitina filed for divorce from her husband of seven years in 2005, she cited a difficult relationship with Hanson, calling her "verbally abusive," claiming she had a history of psychiatric issues and that she had been combative over her grandchildren.
The Unified Police Department has said there is no evidence connecting Hanson's son, Dale Jankowski, to the slaying.
Hanson's bail is set at $1 million.