Mom of slain Iowa man breaks down on witness stand

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — The mother of a 20-year-old man killed in 2001 by a woman who claims she acted in self-defense broke down in tears while getting questioned about her son’s history of mental health problems.

Mona Wehde started crying while answering questions Tuesday from a defense lawyer for Tracey Richter about Dustin Wehde’s history of anger and aggressive behavior.

Richter is on trial for murder in Dustin Wehde’s death at her home in Early. Richter claims she shot Wehde after he and another man broke into her home.

Prosecutors say Richter had Wehde write a diary framing her ex-husband in a murder-for-hire scheme and killed him after she worried he wouldn’t keep quiet.

The judge called a 10-minute break after Mona Wehde’s emotional outburst.