OXNARD -- A judge today lowered bail to $1 million for an Oxnard woman charged with first-degree murder in the death of her husband, Olympic shot-put medalist Dave Laut.
Jane Laut, 52, has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder charges on Tuesday.
Today, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Nancy Ayers agreed to lower Laut's bail, which had been set at $3 million when she was arrested.
During the bail reduction hearing it was revealed that Dave Laut was shot four times in the head and that his blood-alcohol level was .05 percent on the night he died.
Jane Laut told investigators immediately after the shooting that her husband had gone out to the backyard to investigate suspicious sounds, and that, moments later, she heard shots fired.
Police initially believed David Laut may have been killed by would-be intruders, but a few days later they determined the killing was not random.
Jane Laut's attorney, Ron Bamieh, says she acted in self defense, contradicting police reports of her statements at the time of the killing.
Bamieh says Jane Laut wrestled the gun from her abusive husband after he became intoxicated and said he was going to kill her, their 10-year-old son and their dogs.
David Laut had worked for 10 years as a track coach and athletic director at Oxnard's Hueneme High School.
Born in Ohio and raised in Southern California, Laut won two NCAA titles at UCLA and a gold medal at the 1979 Pan American Games.
Laut was favored to win gold at the 1984 Olympics after throwing 70 feet, 10 inches at the U.S. Olympic Trials. He won the bronze instead with a mark of 68 feet, 9 3/4 inches on his final attempt at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
In 1985, he was still ranked the No. 7 shot-putter in the world and the No. 1 American. But the following year he tore tendons in both knees during an agility test to become a fireman, and failed to make the 1988 Olympic team.
Jane Laut, 52, has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder charges on Tuesday.
Today, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Nancy Ayers agreed to lower Laut's bail, which had been set at $3 million when she was arrested.
During the bail reduction hearing it was revealed that Dave Laut was shot four times in the head and that his blood-alcohol level was .05 percent on the night he died.
Jane Laut told investigators immediately after the shooting that her husband had gone out to the backyard to investigate suspicious sounds, and that, moments later, she heard shots fired.
Police initially believed David Laut may have been killed by would-be intruders, but a few days later they determined the killing was not random.
Jane Laut's attorney, Ron Bamieh, says she acted in self defense, contradicting police reports of her statements at the time of the killing.
Bamieh says Jane Laut wrestled the gun from her abusive husband after he became intoxicated and said he was going to kill her, their 10-year-old son and their dogs.
David Laut had worked for 10 years as a track coach and athletic director at Oxnard's Hueneme High School.
Born in Ohio and raised in Southern California, Laut won two NCAA titles at UCLA and a gold medal at the 1979 Pan American Games.
Laut was favored to win gold at the 1984 Olympics after throwing 70 feet, 10 inches at the U.S. Olympic Trials. He won the bronze instead with a mark of 68 feet, 9 3/4 inches on his final attempt at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
In 1985, he was still ranked the No. 7 shot-putter in the world and the No. 1 American. But the following year he tore tendons in both knees during an agility test to become a fireman, and failed to make the 1988 Olympic team.
