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Lawyer: "She wants Mrs. Widman to know that she is extremely sorry for what has happened"

By WINK News

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - WINK News talked with the lawyer for the woman police say Officer Andrew Widman saved the night he was killed. He says Crystal Turcotte is dealing with a lot of emotions since the shooting.

Nearly one week after the shooting that changed Fort Myers, the girlfriend of the shooter is dealing with grief and fear of threats.

“She's coping as well as can be expected," said Crystal Turcotte's lawyer Steven Leskovich.

He says the woman officer Andrew Widman is credited with saving, is trying to comprehend what happened nearly a week ago.

Steven Leskovich says Turcotte has been getting threats, disturbing phone calls and even visits to her home... blaming her for Abel Arango killing Officer Andrew Widman.

"{She} has stayed low key, has moved, relocated I guess you could say, and still very upset and traumatized by what happened,” said Leskovich.

But she says officer Widman saved her life.

“She feels had somebody not come to her aid... that it may have been her, " said Leskovich.

Leskovich says Turcotte did not go to Arango's funeral, held the same day as Officer Widman's, because she did not feel it was safe. She did however, like many in the community watch Officer Widman's funeral.

“When I was watching it with her she shed a lot of tears, with what Mrs. Widman said,” said Leskovich.

Two women now linked together forever in a web of grief. And while many want to know from Turcotte what happened that night, Leskovich says she wants the community to focus on healing the Widman family.

But she does have a message for Mrs. Widman.

"She wants Mrs. Widman to know that she is extremely sorry for what has happened, her condolences go out to her, and her family and her children, that Officer Widman to her she will forever be grateful to for being a hero,” said Leskovich.

Wednesday, Aug 20 at 8:56 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The person on here that commented about Crystal being in custody at the time of the shooting, what are you talking about? The shooting was in July, she was released in April. The site is accurate. Whatever, she knew the guy had a gun, too bad she had to date such a loser. Mrs. Widman deserves to mourn in peace now. My heart goes out to the Widman family. As for the Arango family, glad that SOB is gone, hope he is rotting in hell.

Monday, Jul 28 at 4:32 PM AlsoGreg wrote ...

She belongs in jail, which is probably where she and her offspring will spend most of their lives if DFS doesn't take them away from her. This weasel attorney is playing the media for suckers just to keep her from being charged. Isn't there a law in Florida about lawerys knowingly working for drug earnings? She knew he had a gun and knew he was a dangerous drug dealer. I was an officer most of my life and I can't estimate how many times I was warned "He has a Gun" or whatever the weapon was.

Monday, Jul 28 at 11:01 AM Amanda wrote ...

It troubles me that there are so many people that are completely ignoring the beliefs Officer Widman, the same belifs that SHOULD be his legacy. Foriveness and redemption. Even in his funeral people sopke of his belief that everyone he encountered has humanity. If anything, I think even if Officer Widman knew all of the variables, he still would have intervined because he believed that both Christal and Arango still had a chance. For him, can's we give the lone survivor of this tragety a chance?

Monday, Jul 28 at 10:04 AM Anonymous wrote ...

PLEASE PRAY FOR HER. SHE NEEDS PRAYER, PRAYER CHANGES PEOPLE. SHE WAS HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION BUT MAYBE THIS CAN TURN HER LIFE AROUND. I USE TO LIVE IN THE PARTY /DRUG WORLD AND PRAYER AND SUPPORT HAS TOTALLY CHANGED ME. I DID NOT EVEN HAVE TO GO TO REHAB. gOD IS WORKING THRU OFFICER WIDMAN TO GET PEOPLE TO CHANDE OVER, TIME IS GETTING SHORT..WE ARE NEARING THE END OF TIME ON EARTH. IT'S UP TO YOU TO DECIDE WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN THIS LIFE ON EARTH.

Monday, Jul 28 at 9:30 AM Anonymous wrote ...

THE THREATS AND CALLING HER NAMES ARE NOT ACCOMPLISHING A THING. OFFICER WIDMAN WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. GOD KNOWS THAT. IF THIS WHOLE EXPERIANCE CHANGES A LIFE OR SEVERAL LIVES...THAT IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE. IF CRYSTAL CAN CHANGE HER LIFE THRU ALL OF THIS FOR THE SAKE OF HER CHILD...IT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. SHE NEEDS PRAYER TO GET OUT OF THAT LIFE STYLE. I PRAY THAT SHE AND A WHOLE LOT OF OTHERS WILL TURN TO JESUS THRU EXPERIANCE. OUR GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS AND THIS IS PART OF IT

Monday, Jul 28 at 8:57 AM patricia wrote ...

I think (Tee) put it very nicely.It would mean the world to Officer Widman if Crystal could turn her life around and do good for her son. Her only chance is to turn her life over to God. Get out of the drug and party world. Her life was spared for a reason...now she needs to be saved through our Savior JESUS CHRIST. God has a plan...he may be trying to reach people thru this whole experiance. The real ticket is being saved and going up to heaven with our hero Officer Widman. Make it your goal!

Monday, Jul 28 at 12:03 AM North Fort Myers Mom of 2- wrote ...

I think crystal should be in jail right now and the rest of her life.Mr Widman was so young and had his whole life ahead of him with 3 wonderfull kids & a loveing wife that will never get to come home to. I do not think crystal should get a 2nd chance at all or should she see her son ever. Mrs. Widman Iam extremely sorry for what has happened, My condolences go out to her, and her family and her children, that Officer Widman HE will forever be a hero,” My thoughts are with all of you!

Sunday, Jul 27 at 8:56 PM Beth wrote ...

Anonymous at 3:06 pm site: I checked out the sheriff site too which made me want to post the same thing you posted. Says she has been in since 4/27/08. Sure would like to hear from the attorney about this one or from Ft Myers police dept or WINK TV to explain how she could be in custody and at he shooting all at the same time. Usually this site is pretty accurate.??

Sunday, Jul 27 at 8:05 PM Rick wrote ...

Where is the Christian empathy in any of this? Very few express that feeling in their comments. Those of you who feel that protecting that "coke head" wasn't worth that officer's life answer this for me: Should the police dispatchers have a checklist to fill out before sending help? "Have you ever or do you now use controlled substances?" "Have you ever or do you now beat your significant other?" "Is anyone at the location armed?" Answer any one of these in the affirmative and no help gets sent.

Saturday, Jul 26 at 3:25 PM K wrote ...

Pointing blame or not pointing blame to Ms.Turcotte is not going to bring back Officer Widman and make Susanna, their 3 young children or family feel any better, or help them cope at this tragic and difficult time. Officer Widman put his life on the line for this woman REGARDLESS if she was "under the influence" of drugs or not. I think we all just need to stop "blaming" anybody BESIDES Abel for this sensless crime!

Saturday, Jul 26 at 2:06 PM anonymous wrote ...

Hm if this is the same Crystal Turcotte as the one on the Lee country sheriffs web site Well her lawyer states she has relocated. She sure did it shows her as being in custody. I would say she sure did relocate. Again if this is the same person!!!

Saturday, Jul 26 at 1:46 PM Buckeye wrote ...

WEll it's not her fault no one can predict or control what another human is going to do. But with that being said. IF you look up this persons criminal history thru the lee clerk of courts web site. No she is not an angel. IT''s a shame that people make bad choice's in life. Here was a man ( officer Widman) doing the right thing raising a family who was loved by all. And now he is gone. No one can change this, If she new he had the gun she should have warned the Officer;s. GOd Bless the Widman's

Saturday, Jul 26 at 11:21 AM D-Bag wrote ...

She deserves every bit of guilt and pain that she has. Bleeding hearts say it isnt her fault, and that is true. BUT, she needs to take responsibility for her own actions. What good things come out of dating a Drug Dealing, Illegal weapon carrying FELON?! She enabled him! She made her bed, now she must lie in it, too bad so sad. The community would be much better off if her and that scum bag BF of her's jumped off the Edison Bridge and spared the community and Widman's family all this tragedy!

Saturday, Jul 26 at 6:28 AM tee wrote ...

Crystal in the end you can't change what happen.Look deep within yourself,and change your life!! Give your child the chance to become a stable,good,productive adult.Mr. Widman saved your life for a reason,now save your sons.Get out of this lifestyle.By the grace of Officer Widman,you have been given a second chance! Make the most of it!

Friday, Jul 25 at 6:15 PM Jim wrote ...

Out of control on what, cocaine. Birds of a feather flock together. I'm sure coke fueled their argument on both sides. Maybe if she would have turned him in on the warrant, this all would have been avoided and no one would have to be sorry!! I highly doubt her record is squeaky clean.

Friday, Jul 25 at 4:37 PM nick wrote ...

you can not blame ms Turcotte for a man whom is out of control he murdered that officer in cold blood and he alone paid the price for that as all of us who try and share the pain of this officers life he did save her life and many others it is sad to think some people could try to justifi this tragic loss to this woman who was being saved in first place

Friday, Jul 25 at 2:52 PM bus36v wrote ...

Great, a coke head is extremely sorry for dealing and using drugs and contributing to a man not returning to his family on Friday night. Instead of blabbing to the media about how sorry she is maybe she should take this opportunity to turn her pathetic life around and raise her son correctly. Like Officer Widman was trying to do.

Friday, Jul 25 at 2:23 PM Lehighmomof3 wrote ...

There's no reason for Crystal to be blamed for any of this. She apparently feared for her life that morning and called for assistance. If Arango wasn't hurting her in a way that made her feel threatened, the need for the cops to come, maybe he would still be alive. Crystal, you didn't ask him to pull that gun, you didn't ask him to hurt you, and you didn't ask for Arango to get himself hurt. This IS NOT your fault and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. My thoughts are with all of you!

Friday, Jul 25 at 1:32 PM B wrote ...

Why does she have to hide behind her lawyer when making a statement? Why does she need an attorney in the first place? Susanna Widman took center stage at the funeral. The least Crystal can do is make a personal statement to Susanna.

Friday, Jul 25 at 1:11 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Turcotte's words are worthless. I feel she deserves the pain and suffering she is going through right now and hopefully for the rest of her life because she knew what kind of low life she was associating with. Like the old sayings: What goes around, comes around or she made her bed now she has to lie in it.

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