Cleveland mom accused of killing fiance by poisoning him with antifreeze arraigned

CLEVELAND - The woman accused of killing her fiance by putting antifreeze in his iced tea was arraigned Monday morning in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Wearing a blue jailhouse jumpsuit, Holly McFeeture, 34, appeared via closed circuit television in front of Judge Robert McClellend.

McFeeture did not speak during the brief arraignment proceeding, but her attorney, Bret Jordan, entered a not guilty plea to the charges of aggravated murder and contamination of a substance for human consumption.

Prosecutors claim McFeeture killed 31-year-old Matthew Podolak, her boyfriend, and the father of two of her children, in 2006 by poisoning his iced tea with antifreeze over a period of weeks.

An investigation at the time of Podolak's death did not result in any charges. The death was ruled "intoxication by ethylene glycol" by the coroner.

Prosecutors said the case became a homicide in 2010 based on a tip to police.

Attorney Jordan argued during the arraignment to reduce the recommended $1 million bond. Jordan pointed out McFeeture turned herself in when she was charged, has a full-time job and stable residence, and cares for three children.

Judge McClelland agreed to reduce the bond -- setting it at $500,000.

The case was assigned to Common Pleas Judge Brian Corrigan. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6.