The wife of a North Idaho lawyer accused of hiring someone to kill her will hold a press conference this afternoon in front of the federal courthouse in Coeur d'Alene.

Cyndi Steele is standing by her husband, Edgar Steele, and railed against federal prosecutors in a 16-page affidavit filed earlier this month.

Cyndi Steele says the U.S. Attorney's Office has violated her rights as a victim by striking a plea deal with Larry Fairfax, who the FBI says was hired to murder Cyndi and her mother but instead helped build a case against Edgar.

Fairfax was to plead guilty to two federal charges Sept. 7, but the hearing was postponed until October.

Edgar Steele remains in the Spokane County Jail, where prosecutors have accused him of violating a no contact order with his wife by mailing her a birthday card in late July.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci Whelan said her office plans to investigate the origins of the affidavit signed by Cydni, which Whelan said appears to be an attempt to bolster Edgar's defense.

But Steele's advocates say the couple is simply a victim of an out-of-control federal government.

They've created a website chronicling their efforts and thoughts on the case. Cyndi Steele is expected to speak today at 4 p.m.

---

---