Man sentenced for killing spouse who’d searched ‘what to do in case your husband is upset you might be pregnant’
A Missouri man who killed his pregnant spouse with a mallet in 2019 was sentenced to life in jail with out parole Friday, the St. Louis County prosecutor’s workplace mentioned.
A jury convicted Beau Rothwell, 31, in April of first-degree homicide in Jennifer Rothwell’s slaying in Creve Coeur, west of St. Louis.
Earlier than she was killed, Jennifer Rothwell had appeared up “what to do in case your husband is upset you might be pregnant,” search warrants within the case confirmed, based on NBC affiliate KSDK of St. Louis.
Beau Rothwell testified at trial that he killed his spouse throughout a heated argument over his affair with one other girl, however the killing was not premeditated.
Jennifer Rothwell was reported lacking on Nov. 12, 2019. However detectives who searched their dwelling discovered blood in carpet, which had additionally been soaked in bleach, police have mentioned. Beau Rothwell was charged with homicide even earlier than her physique was discovered.
Beau Rothwell testified that he was in a “purple haze” of anger when the killing occurred, and his attorneys sought conviction on voluntary manslaughter as a substitute of homicide, the St. Louis County prosecutor’s workplace has mentioned. The jury convicted him of homicide on April 28.
In courtroom Friday, Rothwell apologized to his spouse’s household and mentioned, “phrases can’t describe how sorry I’m,” KSDK reported.
Jennifer Rothwell’s mom, Robin Von Hausen, mentioned that “Jennifer was a brilliant mild in our lives,” and that, “We thought we might have greater than 28 years together with her,” based on the station.
Beau Rothwell was convicted of homicide, tampering with proof, and abandonment of a corpse, the prosecutor’s workplace mentioned.
“We knew with a conviction on Homicide 1st Diploma that this man who killed his pregnant spouse would spend the remainder of his life in jail with out eligibility for parole,” prosecuting lawyer Wesley Bell mentioned in an announcement. “That’s what we meant for him to do, and right now confirms that’s what he’s going to do.”
The Related Press contributed.