Despite appearing for a hearing on charges related to the attempted murder of her estranged husband, a New York woman was in apparent good spirits as she arrived at a Suffolk County courthouse recently.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, 40-year-old Renee Burke is accused of pouring antifreeze in Matthew Burke’s drinks on multiple occasions — even as their young children witnessed the attempt on his life.
District Attorney Tim Sini revealed that their youngest, a 4-year-old son, told his babysitter that “mommy put something in daddy’s drink.”
She was reportedly caught by nearby surveillance cameras entering her husband’s residence on at least three occasions in September as they were embroiled in an acrimonious divorce.
According to the U.K. Daily Mail, however, Renee Burke was seen smiling as she approached the courtroom, having already pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted murder, burglary and attempted assault.
Sini revealed that the “evidence in this case includes video surveillance that shows the defendant taking a wine bottle out of the fridge and taking baby bottles filled with antifreeze and pouring the liquid into the wine bottle.”
Among the other evidence prosecutors say points to her guilt are online searches for phrases including “what liquids for cars can kill a human” and “antifreeze with alcohol.”
She reportedly remains behind bars with bond set at $400,000. If convicted, she could receive a 25-year sentence.
Matthew Burke was awarded custody of their son and 8-year-old daughter. He reportedly avoided the potentially fatal poisoning by recognizing the foul taste and immediately spitting out the tainted drink.
[Featured image: Renee Burke, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office]
