Columbia man, 88, gets 5 years of probation in wife's death

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- An 88-year-old Columbia man convicted in his 86-year-old wife's stabbing death has been sentenced to five years of supervised probation and a suspended seven-year prison sentence as part of a plea deal.

The Columbia Tribune reported Donald Rowland pleaded guilty in March to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Betsy Rowland.

Police say Donald Rowland told officers he killed his wife and tried to take his own life Oct. 31 because he didn't want them to be a burden on their family.

Rowland's daughter, Robin Jones, asked the judge Monday to release her father on probation so he could live with her and her husband. They plan to take care of Rowland with the assistance of a 24-hour, in-home care service.

"Nothing is worse than living without his life partner, my mom," Jones said.

Boone County assistant prosecuting attorney Merilee Crockett recommended the seven-year suspended sentence for Rowland, but left whether he should get probation to the judge.

"A trial in this matter would have been difficult for everyone involved," Crockett said.

James Hobbs, Rowland's attorney, said his client had no prior history of domestic violence before the fatal stabbing. Hobbs had filed several letters in support of Rowland asking the judge to release him on probation.

At the sentencing hearing, Rowland spoke briefly.

"I'm very sorry this happened," Rowland said. "I loved my wife. We had a good life."

Rowland served in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years, and later worked as a bank teller. He eventually became a bank vice president.