Alexandria

Virginia Woman Convicted in Death of Elderly Husband

A Virginia woman will serve 14 years in prison for the murder of her elderly husband.

Paula Thompson-Marshall shot and killed 75-year-old Rolf Thompson Oct. 5 in their home near Alexandria's Old Town neighborhood. She was convicted in April, and sentenced Thursday.

Officers received a report of a shooting about 10:45 a.m. and found Marshall suffering from a gunshot wound inside the house in the 1100 block of Duke Street. He was pronounced dead at a hospital about 11:30 a.m.

The couple argued that morning about whether to euthanize their elderly dog, and Thompson-Marshall, 48, shot her husband with a .38 caliber revolver, according to the commonwealth's attorney's office. She called police and claimed the shooting was an accident.

Neighbors said Marshall had been ill and had been in and out of the hospital.

She was also convicted of using a firearm while committing murder.

The jury has suggested a sentence of 14 years in prison.

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