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TOLEDO -- A Toledo woman accused of shooting a man dead and torching his home to cover up the killing will represent herself in her murder trial.

Melody Williams, 49, faces charges of aggravated murder, aggravated arson, aggravated robbery, and two counts of tampering with evidence. Police say she shot L.C. Lyons Jr., inside his Sylvania Twp. home on July 4, 2011. She is then believed to have set fire to the home at 5128 Inland Dr., near Brint Rd.

Williams was arrested by Sylvania Township Police and charged in the murder in Oct. of 2012.

According to The Blade, Williams has not sought counsel in the trial which began Monday morning. She says she will represent herself against the criminal charges, a rare and not advisable move.

A judge has appointed a Toledo attorney to act as Williams' "advisory counsel."

If convicted, she could face life in prison.

(The Associated Press contributed to this article.)