Woman charged in DUI death nabbed on shoplifting charge

A woman out on bond for charges including DUI manslaughter was given a misdemeanor citation last Wednesday for alleged shoplifting.

Barbara Diffendal, 43, was trespassed from the Publix grocery store at 4158 Mariner Blvd. after management told a deputy she walked out the door with a variety of air fresheners worth $38.

Diffendal reportedly admitted to concealing the items in her purse and added "she did not know why."

The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Diffendal last September on charges related to a crash on U.S. 19 on Jan. 7, 2008, that killed Jeanine Bethoney, 34. Diffendal is also charged with driving on a suspended license causing death. She has pleaded not guilty and was out on a $55,000 bond at the time of the alleged shoplifting.

Diffendal's court-appointed attorney, Alan Fanter, said Monday he wasn't sure what effect this would have on his client's bond status. He declined to comment further on a pending case.