Panama City- Authorities found the body of Raymond Gsell, 80 years old, stuffed in a freezer at the couple's home back on January 21. An autopsy determined he was strangled and his neck was broken.
Investigators arrested Gsell's wife Judy Lynn Gsell, 47 years old, along with Dawn Ross, 27 years old, charging them with first degree murder. But Gsell sent Judge Elijah Smiley two letters this month from jail claiming she's innocent.
She claimed Ross was solely responsible for the killing, that Ross confessed to the crime, and that she was merely a witness who would gladly testify against Ross.
"I am at your mercy...I am only a witness," Gsell wrote to the judge.
She went on to write, "She's the only one who touched him...There is also no evidence of my being involved by prints or DNA."
In the letters Gsell admitted to being present during the murder but claimed she was in another room and was impaired by drugs and alcohol.
She wrote, "I was in shock and fear for my own life," to explain why she didn't call police after the killing. '
Gsell also claimed her health is failing.
"I only have one year to live. I am waiting to go to the state hospital," wrote Gsell.
Gsell first asked Judge Smile to dismiss her murder charge, but she set her sights a little lower in the second letter asking, "Please lower my charge and drop robbery. I will testify against co-defendant."
Gsell and Ross are each charged with first degree murder and robbery. They're shceduled to go on trial December 3rd.