Washington scissor stabbing suspect denies committing murder

SPOKANE, Wash. -- A woman accused of stabbing an elderly man with scissors, denied committing the murder in a jailhouse interview with CBS affiliate KREM.

Crystal Huff, 40, is accused of first attempting to use a cord to kill 66-year-old Richard Whipple, then stabbing him multiple times, and ultimately, pouring soap down his throat.

He was found more than a week later, on Oct. 2, after managers at his apartment building smelled an odor coming from his apartment and decided to look inside.

Police were then called to investigate and were able to find a pair of scissors on Whipple's chest and a cord from a radio wrapped around his head.

From the Spokane County Jail Thursday, Huff denied committing the murder. She describes herself as a mild woman who loves the simple things in life like writing and reading.

In the interview, Huff read a prepared statement directed primarily to her friends and family.

"I know some of you are thinking, 'Second degree murder, Crystal, really?'" She said from behind a glass barrier. "And I want you all to know, on the charge of second-degree murder, I'm innocent."

KREM previously reported that Huff told investigators that Whipple had sexually assaulted her before his death.