Utah Doctor and Alleged Mistress Pretended to Be Married While in Jail
Nov. 7, 2013— -- The mistress of a Utah doctor accused of killing his wife was recalled to the witness stand today where she testified that she allowed their relationship to continue while they were both incarcerated because she was lonely.
Dr. Martin MacNeill and Gypsy Willis were indicted on identity fraud charges that were unrelated to the first-degree murder and obstruction of justice charges the doctor is currently facing.
Both MacNeill and Willis were convicted of fraud in 2009 for using MacNeill's adopted daughter's social security number so Willis could open bank accounts under a false name in order to escape bad credit.
While they were in prison, Willis said the couple pretended to be married because she was lonely and "thrilled out of my mind to get a letter."
"I found myself in prison as a result of being with this guy and that was terrifying to me," Willis said today.
In one letter that MacNeill allegedly sent to Willis in 2009, the doctor wrote, "Dear sweetheart ... I have informed them here that you are my common law wife."
Willis said the relationship ended when they were released from prison. MacNeill was arrested and charged with his wife's murder after he was released from a Texas penitentiary last year.
The former Mormon Sunday school teacher is accused of drugging and drowning his wife, Michele MacNeill, 50, on April 11, 2007, so he could start a new life with Willis.
Inmate Says Utah Doctor Called His Dead Wife a 'Bitch'
The doctor's defense attorneys said his wife died from heart problems and that the only thing MacNeill may be guilty of is being a "total jerk."
His defense attorney, Susanne Gustin, acknowledged at the start of the trial that MacNeill "has made poor choices in his life. We've heard he had affairs during his marriage," she said.
"We may think he is a total jerk, that is absolutely disgusting and that's natural. But it's very critical that during this trial you set aside your emotion," Gustin admonished the jury.
The prosecution rested its case today, and the defense rapidly moved through its list of witnesses, clearing the way for the jury to get the case before the end of the week.
