Cannibalism Discussed in Sifrit Case

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- Court records show that a woman convicted with her husband in the dismemberment murders of a couple in Ocean City in 2002 discussed cannibalizing one of the victims.

The reference comes from a judge's order Wednesday denying a new trial to Erika Sifrit (SY'-frit), of Hollidaysburg, Pa.

In a statement to police after the slayings, Sifrit said she refused her husband Benjamin's request to cook and eat a leg of one of the victims.

A Frederick County judge cited the statement as evidence of Erika Sifrit exercising control over their relationship.

Her lawyers had claimed Sifrit was slavishly devoted to her husband.

Erika Sifrit is serving a sentence of life plus 20 years for killing Joshua Ford and Martha "Genie" Crutchley, of Fairfax, Va.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APTV-05-13-09 1808EDT