Defense: Daughter's statements were coerced in Villa Park murder case

Christy Lentz admits she struggled with her father at his Villa Park business in an argument that ended with him being fatally shot.

But she denies pulling the trigger.

"I didn't make him do it," she said, weeping. "He came at me with a gun. I was like, 'What are you doing?' I pushed him. It went off. I freaked out. I didn't know what to do."

Details about her discussions with police were revealed Thursday during a court hearing that will determine whether a 5.5-hour videotaped interrogation will be allowed at trial.

The 33-year-old woman may face the rest of her life in prison is convicted of the first-degree murder of her father, Michael, 58, more than two years ago. She also is charged with concealment of a homicide.

Her defense attorney, Richard Kayne, argues the recorded interrogation in which Lentz describes an accidental shooting should be suppressed because it was made under "duress and coercion."

He said Christy Lentz was physically and mentally exhausted due to a lack of sleep and prior intoxication. Kayne also accused police of using Lentz's 7-year-old daughter, who was waiting at the police station, as a way to get her to confess.

Prosecutors played snippets of the interview in court Thursday. On the tape, Lentz accused her father of prior physical abuse and said he came after her again that day with a gun in hand. Lentz said it went off after she pushed him away - a story authorities don't buy since the slain man was shot in the back of the had.

"I have never shot a gun in my life," Christy Lentz said on the tape.

The police investigation began June 9, 2006, when authorities met with Michael Lentz's two daughters, Christy and Jill, who had reported their father missing.

Police didn't initially suspect foul play because Michael Lentz, who lived near Winfield, was known to travel between his other homes in Naples, Fla., and Wisconsin.

Detectives said they grew more suspicious, however, each time they said Christy Lentz delayed their requests to search the business and to review certain records.

So, armed with a search warrant, detectives made an unannounced visit June 21, 2006, to Industrial Pneumatic Supplies at 220 W. Ridge Road, where both father and daughter worked.

They detected a foul odor before even entering the building.

Once inside, they found the slain man's remains underneath a pile of clothing in a large plastic bin. His body was wrapped in a tarp bound with electrical tape. Several air fresheners and fans were set up to conceal the odor.

Authorities have never revealed a motive, but they did say Michael Lentz was upset with his daughter's handling of his financial matters.

Christy Lentz has pleaded innocent. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.

DuPage Circuit Judge John Kinsella is expected to rule on the defense's request to suppress the videotaped interview at a future court hearing.

Lentz is free on bond. A trial date has not been set yet.