Pohlmeier Trial Jury Still in Deliberations
The jury in the Alfred Pohlmeier murder trial continued deliberations Tuesday, but did not return a verdict.
Pohlmeier, 92, is charged with first-degree murder for strangling his 86-year-old wife, Lidwina, to death on Sept. 13, 1995, in their Fillmore home.
Although Pohlmeier admitted to authorities in two taped interviews that he choked her, the retired postal worker’s attorney asked the jury this week to find him not guilty of murder.
Deputy Public Defender Susan Olson told the jury in her closing argument Monday that Pohlmeier “snapped” on the morning of Sept. 13 and should face a sentence no harsher than manslaughter.
During the trial, the jury learned Lidwina Pohlmeier suffered from a number of ailments, including a chronic cough.
Pohlmeier told authorities he hadn’t slept in months as a result of her constant coughing, and decided the night before her death that he was going to strangle her, according to court testimony.
The 12-member jury deliberated for about half an hour Monday and all day Tuesday. The panel requested clarification from Superior Court Judge Allan L. Steele on jury instructions Tuesday afternoon, and also asked for written transcripts of the taped interviews Pohlmeier gave authorities after the killing.
The jury is expected to continue deliberations today.
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