Defense tries to portray confessed killer as liar

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — The defense in a Waukesha County murder-for-hire trial is attempting to portray the convicted killer as a liar.

Justin Welch protested on the witness stand Tuesday when defense attorney Anthony Rosario suggested the plan to kill Kim Smith was his idea. Welch continued to maintain that he was hired to kill Smith.

Darren Wold and Jack Johnson are accused of conspiring to have Smith killed. Prosecutors say Wold wanted sole custody of the son he had with Smith.

WISN-TV says prosecutors agreed to recommend less time in jail for Welch in exchange for his testimony. Smith was found bound and stabbed at her Oconomowoc home in October 2009.