AKRON, Ohio — A northeast Ohio jury has convicted a 53-year-old man in the killing of his pregnant wife more than three decades after her death.
Scott Purk was found guilty Tuesday of murder and tampering with evidence.
Prosecutors say Purk put a belt around Margaret Purk’s neck and strangled her in March 1985 before trying to make it look like she hanged herself in their Akron apartment. The death was originally ruled a suicide. His wife was nine months pregnant and the baby didn’t survive.
Defense attorney Don Hicks had argued that prosecutors didn’t present enough evidence and that Margaret Purk showed signs of suicide before her death.
He’s currently serving a 28-year prison term for burning down two homes in 2009.
He will be sentenced on Nov. 24.