Dianna Lalchan, who originally faced first-degree murder charges that were reduced to voluntary manslaughter while armed, will leave a halfway house Monday.
Lalchan appeared before Judge Ronna Beck Friday, who allowed her to enter the high intensity supervision program – which will allow her to stay with her family while she awaits a trial.
Police arrested Lalchan, 27, in connection with the death her husband, Christopher Lalchan, March 28. Prosecutors had sought first-degree murder charges in the case, but at a preliminary hearing Judge Robert Morin said there was probable cause only to support a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed.
Christopher Lalchan was fatally shot in his home in Southwest DC. Dianna Lalchan has said she shot him in self defense.
Lalchan would also be able to continue working as a pharmacist at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda. Lalchan has not worked there since her arrest, but has not been terminated from the position, her attorney, Arthur Ago, said. Lalchan has left the halfway house only for legal visits with her attorney, he said.
She is due to return to court July 19 for a status hearing. Another status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 4, and Judge Beck scheduled a trial date for March 3, 2014.
