Costa Mesa man on trial in 2012 killing of his girlfriend
Trial is underway for a Costa Mesa man accused of stealing a neighbor’s gun and shooting to death his live-in girlfriend, who also was his business partner, while he was drunk and on prescription pills.
The trial of Thomas Michael Wilhelm, 52, began last week and is scheduled to continue Friday in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana. Wilhelm is charged with murder and could face a maximum of 50 years to life in state prison if convicted, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.
The defense has argued that Wilhelm had mental-health issues and was extremely emotional as the couple’s personal and business relationship soured.
Wilhelm’s attorney, Douglas Myers, did not return calls seeking comment this week.
According to a transcript of Wilhelm’s grand jury indictment, he allegedly was under the influence of cherry vodka and prescription pills on July 8, 2012, as he listened at home to the Guns N’ Roses song “Used to Love Her,” which features the lyrics “I used to love her, but I had to kill her.”
The district attorney’s office alleges he then walked to a neighbor’s home in the 2900 block of Redwood Avenue and stole a gun, returned to his home and fired six times through a bathroom door at his girlfriend and business partner, Christine Murray.
Murray, 45, was hit in the chest, neck, arm and thigh.
Police said they believe Wilhelm may have tried to shoot himself with a shotgun, but it misfired.
Murray, the mother of a then-8-year-old son, was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Authorities said Wilhelm and Murray’s three-year relationship had faltered during the two years before her killing after he brought her in as a partner in his business, Wilhelm Sprinkler Co.
According to the grand jury indictment, Wilhelm had a history of drug and alcohol abuse and Murray had begun to question his abilities as a business owner.
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