The ‘Blue-Eyed Butcher’ is sentenced to 20 years in jail for the stabbing murder of her husband – P.C. 187
A Houston mother known as the “blue-eyed butcher” was resentenced on Tuesday to serve 20 years in prison for stabbing her husband close to 200 times before burying his body in the backyard.
Susan Wright was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2004 for the stabbing death of her 34-year-old husband, Jeffrey Wright. Claiming abuse at the hands of her husband, Susan contended that she stabbed Jeffrey in self-defense. Prosecutors alleged, however, that she tied her husband’s limbs to the bed in an act of seduction and then began to stab him repeatedly. The jury returned a guilty verdict and the judge sentenced her to 25 years in prison.
Murder Charge in Appeals Court
An appeals court upheld the guilty verdict, but overturned the sentence, citing inexperience on the part of Wright’s defense attorney. A new jury was ordered to hear testimony and decide anew Wright’s sentence.
During more than two weeks of dramatic testimony from expert witnesses, family members, Jeffrey Wright’s ex-girlfriends, and neighbors of the Wrights, the central purpose of the hearing was to determine whether Mr. Wright was a violent, abusive husband or if Susan’s act was simply cold-blooded murder.
The five women and seven men of the jury deliberated for more than 10 hours over the course of two days before handing down their verdict. Wright would be eligible for parole in 2014.
Murder Under California Penal Code 187 PC
Under California Penal Code 187, murder is defined as causing the death of another person, or fetus, with malice aforethought. This “malice aforethought” requirement means that the culprit either intended the killing or acted with conscious disregard for the safety of human life. First-degree murder is the most serious form of murder in California. It can be charged if the killing was committed by lying in wait, while inflicting torture, or if it was committed in a manner that was willful, deliberate, and premeditated. If convicted, penalties may include a sentence of 25-years-to-life in state prison. However, it is also possible to incur the death penalty or a life sentence without the possibility of parole based on the circumstances of the case.
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If you are facing murder charges, it is imperative that you seek the advice and counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney. At Wallin & Klarich, our Orange County attorneys have over 40 years of practice experience and can help you raise the best possible defenses in your murder case. We will work to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive aggressive legal representation.
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