Judge Places Elderly Killer in Niece’s Care

REDDING, Calif. — An elderly man who beat his wife to death with a hammer was placed on probation Friday and released to the custody of his family because of ill health.

Robert Williams, 73, who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the June, 1987, bludgeoning death of his wife Helen, 69, was placed by a Superior Court judge under the conservatorship of a niece, Joan Johnson of San Juan Capistrano.

The victim had been struck at least 14 times in the head with a hammer, according to investigators. The couple had been married for 18 years.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Judge Donald Kennedy said before releasing Williams to his family.

Shasta County Assistant Dist. Atty. Donna Daly objected to Kennedy’s ruling, saying Williams should be sent to state prison for the slaying. She said that while his particular circumstances merit sympathy, he should be punished for the crime.

“The people of California are entitled to a degree of punishment for the crime itself,” Daly said.

Kennedy said the killing of Helen Williams was “a very horrible and violent act,” but that there was no benefit to society nor any deterrent value in sending Williams to prison.