‘Black widow’ denies murder as trial begins

A former driving instructor dubbed the “Black Widow” of the French Alps denied drugging her husband and then burning him to death in his car.

The case has attracted public interest because of similarities between the manner of metal worker Daniel Cano’s demise, the death of two of Manuela Gonzalez’s former partners, and two other incidents in which her lovers narrowly escaped death.

“I continue to say that I am innocent of what I have been accused and that will be shown in court,” said Gonzalez, 53, on the opening day of her trial for murder.