SAN DIEGO, California (Court TV) -- A woman was found guilty on Tuesday
of poisoning her Marine husband with arsenic to obtain $250,000 in
veteran's benefits and pay for breast implant surgery.

Cynthia Sommer, a 33-year-old mother of four, showed little reaction
Tuesday as the jury found her guilty of first-degree murder in the 2002
arsenic poisoning of Sgt. Todd Sommer.

She faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

"I'm so glad that Todd Sommer's family has justice finally for the death
of their son," said Deputy District Attorney Laura Gunn.

Defense attorney Robert Udell said he was "absolutely stunned" by the
verdict. Sommer "is obviously, clearly disappointed," Udell said. "She
said to me, 'What am I going to do now'" (Watch Sommer's face as the
verdict is announced )

The panel of seven women and five men deliberated for about 12 hours
over three days before returning the verdict, which included the special
allegations of administering poison and murder for financial gain.

After the jury was excused, Sommer put her hand to her forehead and
slowly shook her head but did not cry. She will be sentenced on March
23.

Cynthia Sommer's family and friends held hands across their laps in the
back row of the courtroom. Her teenage daughter and her mother sobbed
quietly as the verdict was read, and left quickly.

Marine died suddenly
Todd Sommer, a healthy young Marine, died suddenly on February 18, 2002,
in the home he shared with his wife, their infant son, and Cynthia
Sommer's three children from a previous marriage.

His unexpected death was initially ruled due to cardiac arrhythmia. His
wife donated his tissues and organs to research and his body was
cremated.

But more than a year later, scientists found elevated levels of arsenic
in Todd Sommer's tissues: more than 1,000 times the normal level in his
liver and 230 times the acceptable level in his kidneys.

Cynthia Sommer was arrested and charged with his murder in November
2005.

Prosecutors admitted they had no evidence, no purchasing records,
electronic paper trail or any direct link to prove that Sommer had
access to the arsenic that killed her husband. Instead, they focused on
the defendant's seeming inability to live within her means and her
promiscuous behavior after her husband's death.

Witnesses testified that Sommer had breast implant surgery two months
after Todd died, partied in Tijuana, Mexico, with girlfriends and
entered wet T-shirt and thong contests.

"In the end," prosecutor Gunn said, "we had strong evidence and we're
happy with the result."

Gunn likened the case to a jigsaw puzzle with a 1,000 pieces. Calling
the defendant's former lovers to the stand to describe her active sex
life, Gunn said, was another piece of the puzzle that the jury needed
evidence of her inappropriate grieving to help them reach a guilty
verdict.

Experts disagreed
During the monthlong trial, Gunn argued that Sommer was the only one
close enough to the Marine who could have dosed him with the lethal
poison. Prosecutors believed she gave him one massive dose about nine
days before he collapsed.

But expert witnesses on both sides testified that they initially
struggled with the inconsistencies in the arsenic test results. The
significantly high levels in his liver and kidney, some said, should
have resulted in elevated levels in his blood, urine, brain and other
organs.

The defense's arsenic expert told jurors that it was "inconceivable"
that Todd Sommer could have died from arsenic poisoning as his symptoms
and pathology lacked telltale signs including incapacitating illness and
visible organ damage.

"We knew going in this was a circumstantial case," Gunn said at a press
conference after the verdict. "But we had very high levels of arsenic in
a very healthy young man."

Jurors would not discuss the case with reporters.

Sommer's three youngest children, including Christian, the son she
shared with Todd Sommer, live with the defendant's brother in Michigan.
Udell said it was likely they would continue to be raised by their uncle
and his family.

Udell said an appeal is planned.

just a little more to add...

My brothers, if you think you know someone after only a few years, then
you are sadly mistaken.

Once upon a time, a healthy young U.S Marine with morals, weds a
washed-up older woman (10 years his senior) with 3 kids from a previous
failed marriage. That alone should earn him the Congressional Medal of
Honor! His wife wants breast implants. Our God-fearing Marine brother is
just not comfortable with that and says no to paying for his wife’s
breast implant surgery. But does she let it go at that? Read on my
brothers.

The story, according to the investigators and prosecutors, is that
Cynthia Sommer was pissed at her Marine Corps husband because he was
refusing to shell out $6K or $7K for her boob job. So she slipps him
aresenic. The military coroner ruled it a heart attack (he was 23 at the
time), and she collected on his $250K federal life insurance policy
(remember, he was a Marine).

But people started to become suspicious when she started showing up at
parties just a few weeks after his death and saying “Hey everybody, look
at my new nice big whoppers!”

“Witnesses testified that Sommer had breast implant surgery two months
after Todd died, partied in Tijuana, Mexico, with girlfriends and
entered wet T-shirt and thong contests.”

Wow, a classic American woman indeed. Well, she was finally found
guilty.

“After the jury was excused, Sommer put her hand to her forehead and
slowly shook her head but did not cry.”

Of course there are no tears. She’s looking forward to the guards
playing with her new set of jubblies.

no response for this one? oh well...

Oh, I am sure you will find a LUNATIC GROUPIE WANNABE somewhere out
there to giggle themselves silly over your postings....

oh, i am just showing how not even the good men fighting or our country
are free from the dispair of marriage.

Damned women, huh?

lily...

u know how i think

Actually...no, I don't....but if I ever reach your level of insanity,
I'll let you know so we can start comparing notes......

lily...

sounds great, and if i ever think like u.please tell me to shoot myself

.

Lunatic....you are thinking JUST LIKE ME!!!!!!!!!! ...click.....

BANG!!!LOL

lily...

possibly the funniest thing i have ever seen u type

TY, LL! I have to agree it is one of the better, but not the
best..........

WOW this argument is kinda good for the buzz....lol.

....so, I guess you are laughing on the inside, LL?

lily....

mo i'm laugh out loud. this is very entertaining

Good for you, LL! A fun, witty guy like you deserves a lol
evening!.....(better that than the alternative; Latin going postal on
JSH).......

lily...

i would never. to go postal on u guys i would have to care enough to
find u.