In California, Dr. Eric Scott Sills, a prominent fertility doctor, has been found guilty of the murder of his wife, Susann Sills.
The conviction comes seven years after Dr. Sills claimed that his wife had "fallen down the stairs," a story that authorities now believe to be a carefully constructed lie, as per to Mail Online.
Dr. Sills Faces Shocking Trial for Wife's Murder
The tensions between the couple had been mounting for some time, with the breaking point being a nude photo that Susann had posted online after losing a bet on the outcome of the 2016 Presidential election. Following her husband's arrest in April 2019, suspicions grew as investigators dug deeper into the circumstances surrounding Susann's tragic death.
The details of that fateful night in November 2016 emerged during the trial. Police officers arrived at the couple's San Clemente home to find Susann lifeless at the foot of the stairs. Initially, Dr. Sills claimed to have discovered her unconscious and immediately called emergency services. However, further investigation revealed blood stains and a clump of Susann's hair, indicating a violent struggle in their daughter's bedroom.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer described the horrific crime as a betrayal of trust, stating, "Dr. Sills was sworn to care for the sick and injured, and his chosen profession as a fertility doctor helped bring so much joy to his patients, but the woman he vowed to love in sickness and health was strangled to death by his own hands."
The couple, who co-founded the Center of Advanced Genetics fertility clinic in Carlsbad, had appeared to the outside world as a successful partnership.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that Dr. Sills had carefully planned and executed his wife's murder, attempting to make it appear as an accident. Deputy Dist. Atty. Jennifer Walker claimed that during an argument, he had strangled Susann and then tried to stage the scene to mislead investigators. She pointed to the position of her body, her foot deliberately left splayed on a lower stair, as evidence of his calculated actions.
Furthermore, the prosecutor highlighted Dr. Sills' questionable conduct after discovering his wife's lifeless body. Instead of immediately attempting CPR as instructed by the emergency dispatcher, he wasted precious time searching for his pulse oximeter. "Oh Lord, where is my pulse ox?" he lamented on the 911 call, while his distraught children could be heard in the background,according to CBS News.
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Defense Questions Cause of Susann Sills' Death in Trial
The defense, led by attorney Jack Earley, argued that there was an alternative explanation for Susann's death. They suggested that her state of disorientation, caused by migraines and the presence of benzodiazepines and opioids in her system, may have led to the fatal fall.
However, the prosecution countered this theory by highlighting the signs of apparent strangulation on the victim's body, pointing out that it would have taken minutes to kill her in such a manner.
Amidst the trial, evidence of the couple's strained relationship emerged through their text exchanges. Arguments about work, his children from a previous marriage, and his temper were the cause of tremendous friction. There were also indications that Susann felt trapped and desperate to escape the situation. Her decision to post a topless photo online after losing a bet appeared to be another point of contention.
Despite the absence of a clear motive presented by the prosecution, the jury ultimately found Dr. Sills guilty of second-degree murder, rejecting the charge of first-degree murder involving premeditation. He now faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
The unexpected result in this case serves as a reminder that people's private lives are often hidden, thus looks may be misleading. Their 12-year-old twins, who are now without their parents, will never be the same as a result of Dr. Sills' conduct. The entire weight of justice will be determined during the sentencing hearing, which is set on March 15 before Superior Court Judge Patrick Donahue, Los Angeles Times reported.
