A 64-year-old man was found dead in his South Carolina home on July 21. His wife confessed to killing him after an autopsy revealed that he had elevated levels of a substance called tetrahydrozoline in his system. The 52-year-old woman admitted that she had put eye drops in his water for several days prior to his passing. While there was no clear motive for the killing, his family issued a statement denying that he was unfaithful to his wife.
There was a rumor about possible cheating based on a Facebook post, but the family said that it referred to her former spouse. Authorities say that the dead man’s wife was the one who alerted them to the fact that he had passed. The woman was taken to York County Detention Center on charges of murder and tampering with a food or drug.
A person who is facing murder charges could be sent to prison for many years. In some cases, a conviction on such a charge could result in someone spending life in prison. It may also be possible for a person to be put on probation or face other consequences if convicted. Therefore, it can be a good idea for defendants to seek legal counsel in an effort to protect their rights and obtain a favorable outcome in a case.
An attorney may be able to ask that evidence turned up in a home search or during a witness interview be suppressed. It may also be possible to ask that a police report or other evidence be withheld from a jury. This may weaken the case against a defendant enough to result in a plea deal being offered or a criminal charge being dropped. Those who receive a plea deal may be able to avoid jail time or obtain a reduced sentence.
Source: ABC News, ‘South Carolina woman allegedly killed husband by putting eye drops in drinking water,” Karma Allen, September 3, 2018