CHICAGO — The woman accused of murdering her landlord and stuffing her body into a freezer testified Friday in her own defense.
While on the stand, 39-year-old Sandra Kolalou said she had been a tenant of 69-year-old Frances Walker for two months prior to the incident in October of 2022. She also talked about the three other roommates in the house and how their complaints to the landlord about her led to her eviction notice.
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When asked about the day her landlord went missing, Kolalou claims she didn’t know she was missing.
Kolalou’s attorney addressed why the woman charged with first-degree murder and concealment of homicide charges took the stand.
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“She has the right not to testify as all defendants do,” said Samuel Jackson III. “She wants to testify because she wants people to know her side of the story. She wants to be able to look the jury in the eye and tell them that she didn’t commit this crime.”
Also present in the courtroom were family and friends of Walker.
“We’re doing fine. Actually, we’re very positive,” said Maggie Walker, Fran Walker’s sister-in-law. “And just very grateful that there are a lot of people coming up there and saying what they say and trying to bring the truth there. And that is all we want.”
Kolalou has been behind bars since October of 2022.
The trial will resume next week.
