Arthur “A.B.” Schirmer, a former pastor from Pennsylvania, was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday, according to the Associated Press.
The 64-year old was found guilty of the first degree murder of his second wife, Betty Schirmer, in 2008. He was handed a life sentence automatically.
In addition to being found guilty of killing his second wife in the Monroe County Court, Schirmer is also awaiting trial for the murder of his first wife, Jewel Schirmer.
"My mom is finally able to rest in peace," Nate Novack, Betty's son, told the AP. "We do have some closure and it's a great day overall, even though the life conviction isn't going to bring my mom back."
The prosecution said that before loading her body into the couple’s car, Arthur beat Betty over the head with a crowbar. After putting his wife in the car, Arthur purposely crashed the vehicle in order to make the situation look like a low speed accident.
He then took the stand and “testified he was driving her to the emergency room for treatment of jaw pain when he swerved to avoid a deer and hit a guard rail.”
At first, the rouse worked, fooling local authorizes into believing Betty actually died in a car crash. A deeper investigation into the matter did not begin until months later.
According to the AP, police realized that the simple car accident could not have been the reason for all of Betty’s head and brain injuries. Also an inspection of the garage floor turned up blood, proving that someone had made an attempt to clean up a mess.
Despite all the evidence Schirmer’s current girlfriend and two daughters believe he's innocent.
"I just didn't hear evidence that led me to believe that he committed a crime," said daughter Julie Campbell according to the AP.
Throughout both trials Arthur continues to “maintain his innocence.”
