Lawyer asks jurors to ignore gut reaction to charges that NY man killed wife, burned body

NY wife slaying jurors told to ignore gut reaction

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The lawyer for a New York man accused of killing and cremating his wife is asking jurors not to be swayed by emotion.

Attorney Andrew Rubin told Westchester County Court jurors Tuesday to disregard their gut reactions to the grisly charges.

Werner Lippe (LIHP’-ee), a 68-year-old jeweler, is accused of second-degree murder in the disappearance of his 49-year-old wife, Faith. No trace of a body was found, and prosecutors say Lippe incinerated it.

Rubin claimed in his closing argument that completely burning the body was impossible. He said Lippe’s actions after his wife vanished were consistent with innocence, except for three confessions.

He said the confessions were false and that Lippe was not mentally well when he made them.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) — The lawyer for a man who confessed three times to killing his wife gets one last chance to persuade jurors that the confessions weren’t genuine.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday in the case of 68-year-old Werner Lippe (LIHP’-ee). He’s accused of murdering 49-year-old Faith Lippe in 2008.

Werner Lippe confessed twice to a friend and once to state police. Defense attorney Andrew Rubin claims all three recorded statements were false, prompted by fear and confusion.

He will also remind the Westchester County jury that no trace of Faith Lippe’s body was ever found. Prosecutors say Lippe, a jeweler, got rid of the body by burning it.

If convicted of second-degree murder, Lippe could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.