Police: Man, 91, Apparently Strangled Wife, 87

[atprm]

Police: Man, 91, Apparently Strangled Wife, 87

FORT GRATIOT, Mich. -- St. Clair County authorities are considering what charges to file in the case of a 91-year-old man they say apparently strangled his 87-year-old wife, who had Alzheimer's disease.

Authorities say the husband then tried to kill himself by slitting his wrists.

Sheriff's Sgt. Joe Hernandez says investigators sent the case to county prosecutors Monday.

The man is being treated Monday at Port Huron Hospital.

The Times Herald of Port Huron says the incident happened at the couple's home at Sanctuary at Mercy Village on Thursday. The retirement community is in Fort Gratiot Township, about 55 miles northeast of Detroit.

[DAVESBABYDOLL]

sent the case to county prosecutors ?? WHY?? My God the man was 91 and probably caring for his Alzheimer stricken wife....then tried to kill himself....if they press charges, that's a crime. It was a crime of passion JMO

[hblueeyes]

I agree. Jail is to protect society as well as punish. He was probably at the end of his rope and his spirit drained from taking care of his wife. He poses no danger to society as a whole. House arrest for life.

Me

[dv8grl]

Tragic story. Bless both of them!

[gmyers]

He must have been really overwhelmed taking care of her. I hope he doesn't get any time either. It must have been really hard having her not know him after all those years of being married. I think thats the worst thing that could happen to a married couple.

[atprm]

PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) - A 91-year-old man has been charged with open murder in the death of his wife, who police say suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

Benno Zoch of Fort Gratiot was arraigned on Tuesday at Port Huron Hospital.

The Times Herald reports Zoch has been in the hospital since Nov. 27, when police say he strangled his wife, 87-year-old Taimi Zoch, then slit his wrists in a suicide attempt.

A forensic evaluation to determine if Benno Zoch is competent to stand trial is expected Wednesday.

He faces life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder and up to life if convicted of second-degree murder.

Defense attorney Michael West says Zoch is disoriented and doesn't understand why he's been charged with murder.

---

Information from: Times Herald, http://www.thetimesherald.com

[April78945]

Didn't MN just declare mercy killing legal? I swear I read that in the paper last week

[ahippiechic]

When I become that much of a burden on my SO, I think I would want him to end it for me.

[speedygirl]

How sad. Can you imagine what that man is going through. I agree that prison would do him no good.

[lucimPI]

That is so sad. I just cannot believe that they would even think of doing anything to him.

[atprm]

Didn't MN just declare mercy killing legal? I swear I read that in the paper last week

who knows... but this happened in Michigan ... which is MI not MN.
and mercy killing is illegal here.

Just ask Dr Kevorkian

[hotwheelstx]

OMG, the man is in his 90's. Leave him be. He probably tried killing himself after helping his wife to her death.

Sorry.....I can't believe that anyone this age would be charged with such a thing.

[April78945]

Opps..Sorry. It was Montana

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/06/montana-assisted-suicide_n_148994.html

[Mom2-3boys]

I remember back in the 80's there was a similar case and they even made a movie about it called Mercy or Murder. The wife had Alzheimers that eventually became very severe and the husband killed her and was put in jail. Here is a story about it that was in Time mag. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1074767,00.html

[atprm]

I remember back in the 80's there was a similar case and they even made a movie about it called Mercy or Murder. The wife had Alzheimers that eventually became very severe and the husband killed her and was put in jail. Here is a story about it that was in Time mag. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1074767,00.html

while the story is very close to the same as this one, one factor stands out...in the link above, the man is only 76... quite a difference to the 91 year old in this one.

I just can't wrap my mind around Michigan -- would WANT to prosecute a 91 year old. I mean, the guy is NINETY ONE!