Fort Myers, FL (KROC-AM News) - Lois Riess made a brief appearance before a judge today at the Lee County Courthouse in Florida, where prosecutors have indicated their intent to seek the death penalty if the Blooming Prairie woman is convicted of killing Pamela Hutchinson earlier this year. The 56-year-old Riess is not expected to appear with her defense attorneys, but the Fort Myers Beach News-Press reported she was in attendance and waived her right to a speedy trial during the 10-minute court hearing.

She faces 1st-degree and 2nd-degree murder charges for the April 5th shooting death of Hutchinson in the victim's rented condo. Florida prosecutors allege Riess killed Hutchinson in order to steal her identity, money, and car in an effort to evade arrest on a warrant issued by authorities in Dodge County after her husband was found murdered in the couple’s rural Blooming Prairie home in late March. Dodge County prosecutors have yet to file murder charges against Riess, and recently indicated they were waiting for some evidence obtained by Florida investigators to test if the same gun was used in both crimes.

Her next court date in Florida, which is a scheduling hearing, is set for October 31st.

Get local and national news on the go.  Download our News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM App – available on Apple and Android devices.

More From Sasquatch 107.7 - The Rock of Rochester