Mistrial Declared In Love Triangle Case

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - The love-triangle slaying case against a suburban Philadelphia woman accused of plotting her husband's death has ended in a mistrial after an officer testified about a conversation he had with the suspect's father.

A Chester County judge found Friday the trial of 36-year-old Morgan Mengel was tainted when the officer told the court Mengel's father had told him his daughter "could be despicable."

The judge said the jury would not be able to disregard such a damaging remark even though it had been ruled inadmissible.

Mengel is charged in the June 2010 killing of her husband Kevin. Authorities say she goaded 22-year-old Stephen Shappell into beating her husband to death with a shovel.

Morgan Mengel's attorney has said Shappell acted of his own accord.

No date was immediately set for the retrial.