Man, 88, stabbed wife, 86, because he did not want both of them to become a burden for their family. Donald Rowland of central Missouri, appeared in court on Monday, and pleaded guilty to the October killing of his wife, Betty Rowland.
Missouri man, 88, stabbed his wife, the story has gone viral. On Monday, Donald Rowland, a retired colonel, showed up in court and pleaded guilty in the stabbing death of his 86-year-old wife, Betty Rowland. The tragedy occurred on October 31.
Their adult daughter found them unresponsive, injured and lying in bed at the couple’s Columbia home. Police were dispatched around 12:21 PM. Betty Rowland was pronounced dead on the scene, while Donald Rowland was taking to the University Hospital, according to The Columbia Daily Tribune. Mr. Rowland was treated for self-inflicted stab wounds.
The 88-year-old man told the cops that he killed his wife, who had health issues, because he did not want them to become a burden to their family, according to The Inquisitr. Betty Rowland was wheelchair-bound following a stroke. After stabbing his wife to death, Donald Rowland then tried to kill himself. One week after the killing, he was booked at the Boone County Jail.
Rowland was initially charged with first-degree murder, but prosecutors opted for a first-degree involuntary manslaughter charge on February 19. Boone County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Merilee Crockett recommended a seven-year prison sentence on Monday, but left the door open to just probation. Rowland appeared in front of circuit Judge Kevin Crane. His sentencing is set for April 13.
Rowland’s lawyer, James R. Hobbs, backed his client’s guilty plea, but he has refused to talk to the media about the case. Crockett took the same approach and so did the Rowland family. Their neighbors have said that the couple had lived quietly in the area for over 25 years.
Man, 88, stabbed wife, 86, the sad and tragic story has sparked a real conversation about the place of the elderly in this modern new world where the notion of family is constantly evolving.
What are your thoughts on this tragedy? Should Rowland go to prison for killing his wife?
This is an extremely sad and moving story. I really hope the man gets probation. This of course is a delicate situation. In my opinion, it would be unjust, just with the limited knowledge about the couples situation, to punish an 88 year old man with a prison term. Our society needs to question situations like this. In general we still do not deal with death in an informed and unrestricted way. We still are in the dark ages, uninformed, prejudicial about right to die. What options do people really have if they are ill and on a time clock so to speak. Shut up prosecutor — be real, join the human race.
Instead of taking care of every body else lets take care of our own people. This is just a shame a terrible shame that he felt he had to do this.