Murder Suspect, 92, Now Claims Insanity

Ventura County’s oldest murder suspect changed his plea Friday, claiming that he is not guilty because he was insane when he strangled his wife of more than six decades.

Alfred Pohlmeier, 92, changed his plea from not guilty to not guilty by reason of insanity. He faces a minimum 25 years in state prison if convicted.

Pohlmeier is accused of strangling 86-year-old Lidwina Pohlmeier, to whom he was married for 62 years, last September. Allegedly he told investigators that he could no longer tolerate his wife’s incessant snoring.

But Deputy Dist. Atty. Donald Glynn said he sees nothing to suggest the defendant was insane at the time of his wife’s death. “I’m not aware of any evidence to suggest that he’s a valid [not guilty by reason of insanity] defendant,” Glynn said. “But I haven’t seen any reports from the defense yet.”

Superior Court Judge Charles W. Campbell Jr. ordered Pohlmeier to undergo a series of psychiatric evaluations before the upcoming trial, which has been continued to Sept. 9.