Charges dropped vs. Pa. man, 75, accused in death of 73-year-old he’d married weeks earlier
By APThursday, February 18, 2010
Charges dropped against Pa. man in wife’s killing
SOMERSET, Pa. — Homicide charges have been dropped against a 75-year-old western Pennsylvania man accused in the slaying of a woman he’d married just weeks earlier.
Somerset County District Attorney Jerry Spangler says he decided Wednesday to withdraw the charges against William McTonic in the death of 73-year-old Ruth Anne Henderson-McTonic. Spangler cited a judge’s decision to throw out a statement McTonic gave to police as the reason for dropping charges.
Investigators say William McTonic, of Jerome, killed his wife after the couple began having problems. Prosecutors say the woman asked McTonic to move out just four days after their March wedding and wanted a divorce. She was found shot to death April 3.
Defense attorney Joseph Policicchio said McTonic is pleased with the decision.
