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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Wife of slain Olympian pleads not guilty to murder


Associated Press

OXNARD, Calif. — The widow of a slain Olympic shot-put medalist has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

Jane Laut entered her plea Tuesday in Ventura County Superior Court shortly after being charged. She could be sentenced to life in prison for the Aug. 27 death of Dave Laut, a shot-putter who won a bronze medal in the 1984 Olympics.
The 52-year-old Jane Laut was arrested Saturday by Oxnard police and is being held on $3 million bail.
She initially told police Dave Laut was gunned down when he went to check noises they heard in their backyard. Her attorney Ron Bamieh now says she acted in self-defense and her husband threatened to shoot her along with their 10-year-old son and their two dogs.