Advanced Alabama Lawyer Accused of Trying to Murder Her Husband Three Times with Fentanyl

The opposing counsel is already on the back foot when a story like this breaks—because every family law attorney in the country just got a masterclass in why discovery requests need to dig deeper than bank statements and text messages.

An Alabama attorney is now facing attempted murder charges after allegedly trying to kill her husband with fentanyl on three separate occasions. Let that sink in. A licensed attorney. Someone who passed the bar, took an oath, and presumably advised clients on matters of law and ethics. Now she's on the other side of a criminal complaint that reads like a true crime podcast.

For those of us practicing high-stakes family law in Illinois, this isn't just tabloid fodder. This is a case study in why you never—and I mean never—underestimate what your client's spouse might be capable of, and why your discovery strategy needs to account for the unthinkable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a criminal case like this intersect with family law proceedings?

When one spouse faces serious criminal charges—especially charges involving violence or attempted violence against the other spouse—the family law case transforms entirely. In Illinois, evidence of criminal conduct can influence everything from parenting time allocation to asset division. A pending attempted murder charge doesn't just create leverage; it fundamentally reshapes the power dynamic in dissolution proceedings. The accused spouse's credibility is destroyed before they ever take the stand in family court. Their access to children becomes immediately suspect. Their financial resources get diverted to criminal defense. Your client's position strengthens with every court date their spouse has to attend in a different courtroom.

What should Illinois attorneys learn from this case about protecting clients?

Stop assuming your high-conflict divorce is just about money and custody schedules. When a spouse demonstrates willingness to harm the other—physically, financially, or reputationally—your protective strategy must escalate accordingly. This means immediate orders of protection where warranted, forensic examination of devices for evidence of planning or intent, toxicology considerations if your client reports unexplained illness, and coordination with law enforcement when necessary. The Alabama case allegedly involved fentanyl—a substance that can be obtained, administered, and detected only through sophisticated investigation. Your discovery requests should include pharmacy records, medical records, financial transactions for cash purchases, and digital communications on encrypted platforms.

How does technology factor into uncovering dangerous behavior in divorce cases?

Digital forensics isn't optional in modern high-stakes family law—it's mandatory. Spouses planning harm leave trails: search histories for substances or methods, encrypted messaging apps, burner phone purchases, cryptocurrency transactions to avoid paper trails. In Illinois, properly obtained digital evidence can be devastating in court. The intersection of cyber negligence and family law creates discovery opportunities that most attorneys miss entirely. When your opposition fails to preserve digital evidence or attempts to destroy it, that's spoliation—and it's leverage. Every deleted text, every wiped device, every "lost" laptop becomes an inference instruction that works in your client's favor.

What immediate steps should someone take if they suspect their spouse poses a physical danger?

Document everything. Photograph pill bottles, save food and drink containers if poisoning is suspected, screenshot any threatening communications before they disappear, and get to a physician immediately if experiencing unexplained symptoms. In Illinois, emergency orders of protection can be obtained without the respondent present when there's immediate danger. Your attorney should be coordinating with law enforcement simultaneously—family court and criminal court operate on parallel tracks, and evidence obtained in one proceeding can be used in the other. Do not confront your spouse. Do not tip them off. Secure yourself and your children first, then build the legal case.

Can a spouse's professional license be used as leverage in these situations?

Absolutely. Licensed professionals—attorneys, physicians, accountants, financial advisors—face disciplinary consequences that extend far beyond the criminal courtroom. In Illinois, attorney disciplinary proceedings can run concurrent with criminal and family law cases. The threat to someone's livelihood, their professional identity, and their ability to earn creates settlement pressure that pure asset litigation cannot match. When your opposition is facing potential disbarment alongside criminal charges, their negotiating position collapses. They need resolution. They need it fast. And they need it on terms that don't further expose them.

How should family law attorneys adjust their practice in light of cases like this?

Expand your intake questionnaire. Ask about unexplained illnesses, sudden behavioral changes, access to controlled substances, and any suspicions—however paranoid they might seem—about the other spouse's intentions. Train yourself to recognize the signs of coercive control that can escalate to physical danger. Build relationships with forensic toxicologists, digital forensics experts, and private investigators who specialize in surveillance detection. The attorney in Alabama allegedly attempted this three times before being caught. Your client might not survive three attempts. Catch it at one—or better yet, before the first.

The Strategic Imperative

Cases like this remind us that family law isn't just about dividing assets and scheduling parenting time. It's about protecting human beings from other human beings—sometimes from people who took vows to love and protect them. The Alabama case will wind through criminal courts for months or years. The family law implications will unfold alongside it. And somewhere, a spouse is alive today because someone finally connected the dots.

Your clients deserve an attorney who sees the whole battlefield, not just the financial spreadsheets. They deserve someone who understands that discovery isn't just about finding hidden accounts—it's about finding hidden dangers. They deserve representation that treats their safety as the non-negotiable foundation upon which everything else is built.

If you're navigating a high-conflict divorce in Illinois and you have concerns about your safety or your spouse's behavior, stop waiting. Book a consultation with Steele Family Law now. Your opposition is already making moves. The question is whether you're going to stay ahead of them—or become another cautionary tale that attorneys discuss at conferences.