Woman in Nail Clipper Slaying to Stay in Jail Until Trial

A South Jersey woman charged with fatally stabbed her husband with a nail clipper will remain jailed until her murder trial, a judge has ruled.

Kathleen Ayala, 30, also faces weapons charges stemming from the Jan. 12 attack at a mobile home complex in Millville.

Officials said officers responded to calls of a stabbing victim, and when they arrived at the scene, on South 2nd Street in Millville, they found Axel Torres, 35,unresponsive with a wound to his left leg.

Ayala and Torres were arguing in their trailer when the dispute turned physical, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. Torres left the trailer, but prosecutors said Ayala chased after him, repeatedly stabbing him. Torres lost consciousness and died the next day.

Ayala told police she only wanted to scare her husband and did not intend to physically harm him, authorities have said. She stabbed him with a metal file from the clippers.

Kathleen Ayala's attorney said that Torres headbutted her minutes before the stabbing occurred, causing her to suffer a concussion and a broken nose.

Ayala faces a potential life sentence if convicted. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 5.

SOURCES: The Press of Atlantic City, AP