husband will be back in a US court next month, Henry Owens, lawyer for Boston-based hairdresser Loretta Marsh, 49, said the hearing on November 25 was to ask for disclosure of state evidence -- a videotape to be used in evidence against her.

Mr. Owens added his client -- out on bail and living with her sister in the Boston area -- would most likely face trial in the spring of next year.

He said: "She is under a lot of stress but she is bearing up well -- she's a tough cookie.'' Marsh, who was originally held in custody, appeared in West Roxbury District Court in August charged with hiring a hit man to attack her husband, arson squad investigator Philip Marsh, 55. She has also been charged with attempted robbery.

Her case was later switched to another court and bail set at $5,000 -- down from the original figure of $200,000.

The news of her arrest in August made front page headlines in the Boston Herald.

Neighbours were reportedly stunned to hear that Marsh allegedly hatched a plot with a hitman to fake a burglary at the couple's home in the Randolph area of the city.

Residents in the couple's apartment block said the two appeared a loving couple and that they had never seen any evidence of marital problems.

But the state claims Marsh planned to leave a door open for the intruder, who would tie her up and steal some jewellery.

It is alleged she gave instructions that if her husband resisted the hitman was to break both his legs -- but she is claimed to have added that if he was killed, she would be happy with the outcome.

And it is claimed she placed a special emphasis on the theft of her wedding ring.

It is said she offered to pay the man out of the proceeds of a $750,000 policy on her husband.

But the man she allegedly approached in the city's Hyde Park on July 30 went straight to the Boston Police Department.

Officers arranged for a second meeting between the two, captured on videotape, where she allegedly said she wanted the attack carried out by August 2.

At a third meeting, an undercover cop was substituted for the supposed hitman.

District Attorney Gerry D'Ambrosio alleged it was at this meeting Marsh confessed it was not the first time she had tried to have her husband killed.

COURTS CTS BERMUDIAN BDA