ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 19, 1997 TAG: 9704210051
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ALLEGAN, MICH.
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
She was bludgeoned, stabbed and smothered at couple's summer home.
A former Virginia college president who said he killed his wife after her mental illness wore him down was sentenced Friday to three years to 15 years in prison.
Allegan County Judge Harry Beach said John Upton is not a threat to society and does not need rehabilitation. ``On the other side of the coin, he killed a human being,'' Beach said.
Upton, 64, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Kathleen Upton, 63, who was bludgeoned, stabbed and smothered July 1 at their summer home on Lake Michigan.
Upton said he had been deeply depressed over his wife's illness and her unwillingness to accept treatment.
The death was a great shock in Tappahannock, Va., where he was president of Rappahannock Community College for 26 years before he resigned last fall.
``I dearly miss Kathy; and as I will always love her, so, too, I will always bear this burden,'' Upton told Beach. ``She remains with me in spirit.''
``I don't want to forget about Mom,'' Steve Upton said. ``I think she would have agreed with what the judge said. Until Dad comes home, the tragedy is still here. But we know he's coming home.''
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB