Crime & Safety

Metter: Ex-Husband Was Physically Abusive, Unfaithful

Christine Metter takes the stand in her own defense in her murder-for-hire trial

Christine Metter told a jury today that her ex-husband and the man she is accused of plotting to have murdered pushed her through a screen door during their marriage.

 after prosecutors say she and her father, Al Zombory tried to hire a hit man to kill David Metter, her ex-husband. Zombory is to be tried later.

“He shoved me into the door, he hit me in the head, he kneed me in the stomach,” said Metter of a fight the couple had while they were married.

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Another time, said Metter, David Metter pushed her through a screen door.

Christine Metter also said that David had a relationship with a female coworker in 2000, then hired her when he worked for another company a few years later.

Find out what's happening in Beachwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dressed in all black, half her hair pulled back, Metter seemed relaxed and confident on the stand. She answered carefully and was well-spoken, and even smirked a few times during her testimony.

Michael Lear asked Metter about meeting her former friend — who later became a police informant — Patrick Sabo in person.

"I remember he showed me his nipple peircings," she smiled.

Metter will likely testify through the day Friday.

Metter is in Lake County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Watch Beachwood Patch for updates as they unfold, and follow @BeachwoodPatch on Twitter for the latest updates.

 His trial is scheduled for Jan. 31.


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