Woman hired hitman to kill fortune teller because of a failed ‘love spell’

A woman hired a hitman to kill a fortune teller - because of a failed "love spell". Tanya Nelson, 45, watched as Phillipe Zamora stabbed Jade Smith and the psychic's daughter Anita, 23. Nelson stole jewellery and cash from the bodies. The wounds on the victims' faces were painted white to try to hide the injuries, a jury heard.

Nelson had asked Smith - known as Miss Ha - to use her mystic powers to force her lover to return. It didn't work. Smith, 57, later wrote to Nelson to say she couldn't change reality.



Zamora broke into Smith's home in Santa Ana, California, to carry out the killings in April 2005. He admits murder and faces a minimum 50 years' jail.

Nelson, also called Phuong Thao Nguyen, faces the death penalty if convicted. The trial continues at Orange County Superior Court in California.