LOS ANGELES — A former television producer is scheduled in court to face charges for the killing of her sister three years ago.
Jill Blackstone, 55, faces one felony count of murder and three felony counts of cruelty to an animal.
Wendy Blackstone, 49, who was deaf and partially blind, was allegedly killed in a garage by her sister on or about March 13 and March 14, 2015, according to the criminal complaint. First responders found a deceased dog next to the victim and two other dogs who were trapped inside the garage ran outside when the door was opened, the prosecutor said.
Blackstone drugged the woman, placed her in a garage and set the building on fire to make the death look accidental, Los Angeles police said. According to CBS News, Blackstone was motivated by frustration at the emotional and financial hardship of taking care of her sister.
The prosecutor will be requesting bail be set at more than $2 million. If convicted as charged, Jill Blackstone faces a possible maximum sentence of life in state prison.
