Woman who claimed self-defense charged in husband's fatal stabbing, police say

HOUSTON – A woman who claimed she was defending herself when she stabbed her common-law husband to death Monday was charged in the case, police said.

The stabbing was reported about 11:30 p.m. in the 3600 block of Lazywood Lane, near Wayside Drive.

Houston police said Maria Martinez, 31, was in a vehicle with her 26-year-old husband when the couple began arguing. At some point during the argument, Martinez stabbed the man in the chest, police said.

Martinez was charged with murder, police said. She was being held in the Harris County Jail.

The identity of the victim was not immediately released.