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THREEThird-degree ;murderadvocatedAt a hearing today, District Attorney Donald E. Williams said-Robert Leroy Harding, 35, of Savannah Road, should be charged with third-degree murder in the shooting death of Harding’s wife.Harding pleaded guilty to a general' charge of murder in the Nov. 25,1980, death of his 31-year-old wife, Betty Ann.Before deciding whether to accept the district attorney’j recommendation, Judge William R. Balph will review testimony given in September when Harding pleaded-guilty and a psychiatric evaluation prepared by Dr. Shoukry Matta.According to Judge Balph, third-degree murder is any intentional killing without premeditation. A third-degree murder conviction carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a 925,000 fine.First-degree murder is premeditated and carries a penalty of life imprisonment or a death sentence. Second-degree murder is killing done during the commission of certain other crimes, such as bank' robbery, and the penalty is life imprisonment.Mrs. Harding was found dead at her home at 8 E. Rainey Ave., South New Castle Borough. She had been shot in the back with a 12-gauge shotgun.When he pleaded guilty, Harding told the judge he had been having marital problems. He said he left his' aunt and uncle’s home, where he had been living, with loaded shotguns in his car between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Nov. 24.He testified that he drank beer in his car and then later drank more at two West Pittsburg taverns. After that, he said, his memory lapsed.He returned to his relatives’ home at 1:30 a.m. Nov. 25 and told them, “I think I killed her. I think she’s dead.”
Newspaper Details
New Castle News
New Castle, Pennsylvania, US
Tue, Dec 22, 1981
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
FL, USA 28 Feb 2025
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