SAVANNAH, GA: Edmund A. Booth, Jr., Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Savannah returned an indictment on July 11, 2007, against a Claxton woman for murder for hire in connection with a scheme to kill her live in boyfriend.

Margaret Manuel, a.k.a “Black Widow,” age 49, was charged in a four count indictment with the Use of an Interstate Commerce Facility in the Commission of a Murder for Hire in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1958. The indictment charges that between June 28, 2007 and July 3, 2007, Margaret Manuel participated in four telephone calls in connection with in an attempt to hire someone to kill her live in boyfriend. Ms. Manuel was arrested on these charges on July 3, 2007 and she remains in federal custody. If convicted, each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

Booth emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Booth praised the joint efforts of Special Agent Marcus Kirkland of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation which led to the indictment. The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Brian F. McEvoy.

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