The widow of a slain Independence insurance agent is now accused of being a black widow. A grand jury indicted Teresa Stone on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, alleging that she conspired with former pastor David Love to kill her husband, Randy Stone.
In March 2010, 42-year-old Randy Stone was
found shot to death inside his
Farmer's Insurance office in Independence. Teresa Stone, 39, was reportedly carrying on a longtime affair with
Love, who was the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church where the Stones were members.
"This charge was handed down in a closed indictment from the grand jury,
where the grand jurors made a finding of probable cause on the charge
of conspiracy to commit murder against Teresa Stone," Jackson County
Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a press statement. "Due to the secret
nature of grand jury proceedings, we are limited in responding at this
time other than to announce the charges against both Love and Stone."
After Randy Stone's slaying, Love reportedly gave the eulogy at his funeral. Love would eventually resign as the church's pastor after Independence
police served a search warrant at the church.
In
November, Love
was arrested on a murder warrant in South Carolina, where he was
working as a truck driver. Love was later indicted on charges of first-degree murder
and armed criminal action. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
Teresa Stone could be facing anywhere from five to 15 years in prison, if convicted. Stone surrendered to authorities Tuesday afternoon and was released after posting $50,000 bond.
Dateline,
48 Hours and even the BBC have
been in contact with Independence police about the story, so expect
even more attention to this sordid story.
