Murder suspect accuses victim's wife

Timothy Blackwelder sits as his attorney, assistant public defender Kenneth Littman, left, talks to one of the courtroom bailiffs following a recess for lunch. [Daniel Wallace, Times]

TAMPA -- A gunshot rang on Dec. 7, 2007 in the living room of 910 W Sitka. The bullet struck George Stewart in the chest, and killed him.

Only two people know what happened that day: Stewart’s wife Brittani Key Stewart, and her lover, Timothy Blackwelder, who was charged with the murder.

They both took the stand Wednesday, at his trial.

Someone lied.

Brittani Stewart said Blackwelder came over uninvited, and banged on the door, looking for her. She said her husband told him she wasn’t home, to protect her. She said she was scared. She said Blackwelder took off with her van, and came back with a gun.

She said Blackwelder killed her husband.

Blackwelder testified that Brittani Stewart called him that day, and told him her husband was trying to force her to have sex with him. He said he knocked on the door to tell him to leave her alone, and the husband cursed at him. He said he got the van to help her escape, and when he entered the house, she had a gun.

He said Brittani Stewart killed her husband.

Other details in their testimonies Wednesday conflicted. She said Blackwelder forced her to come with him when he took off to Georgia. Blackwelder said Stewart went willingly, and told him how to get on the interstate.

They both testified that they had sex in the van just hours after George Stewart’s death.

Thursday, the jury will decide which version of events to believe.

--Alexandra Zayas, Times Staff