http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/alibi_hard_cell_lHZAWyj45kzpzn2c2OdJ1KStein slay alibi a hard cell
By AMBER SUTHERLAND
Last Updated: 9:16 AM, February 3, 2010
Posted: 4:20 AM, February 3, 2010
The woman charged with killing "Realtor to the Stars" Linda Stein allegedly tried to cover her tracks by coolly leaving her boss a cellphone message -- nearly six hours after authorities say she bludgeoned her to death -- and creepily chirping, "I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Hi, Linda! It's Natavia," Natavia Lowery said in the recorded message, which was introduced into evidence yesterday at her murder trial in Manhattan.
"I just want to let you know I am leaving work at 5:30. I hope that the showing goes well, and I will see you tomorrow. See you later!"
Lowery allegedly left the message on Stein's phone after first swiping the device just after the slaying and then stuffing it back into her boss' green purse, which she left the Central Park West apartment building with, returning later to leave it outside the older woman's apartment.
Verizon and T-Mobile phone experts testified that the call originated at 6:09 p.m. from Brooklyn, where Lowery, the flamboyant Stein's personal assistant, lived.
Lowery, now 28, is suspected of killing the 62-year-old Stein between 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007. Stein's filmmaker daughter, Mandy, found her mother's body around 10:30 p.m.
Lowery was said to be angry at her sometimes abusive boss -- a powerhouse Realtor and former co-manager of the Ra mones -- and greedy for her money.
According to a re cords custodian at JPMorganChase yes terday, someone transferred $150,000 from Stein's retire ment savings to her checking account on the day she died.
The online transfer was made at 2:04 p.m.
Prosecutors last week released video from Stein's building lobby showing Lowery leaving just after the murder with her boss' green purse over her shoulder and a red shopping bag in her hand -- which authorities say held the murder weapon, a blunt object.
In addition to the phone message, prosecutors also have said Lowery pretended she had no clue Stein was dead by leaving two written notes for her boss after she killed her.
One of the notes had "4:17 p.m." written on it and included reputed phone messages.
The other note read, "Linda, I waited for you to come back from your run, but you never came to the office . . . Anyway, call me tomorrow. Good luck with the showing . . . Natavia."
Neither the prosecution nor defense would comment yesterday on a report that Lowery had been considering trying to change her plea until her relatives talked her out of it.
Additional reporting by Kate Sheehy and Laura Italiano