PRINCETON, MASS. (WHDH) - A jury found a Princeton dentist not guilty in his wife’s 2011 death.
Roger Desilets, 72, was charged with manslaughter and assault and battery after his wife Kathleen fell from a third floor window at their home and later died. Lawyers for both sides said the couple, who had been married 44 years, were arguing at the time about Desilets’ affair with another woman.
“There was a violent confrontation and she took a beating in that hallway from this defendent,” said Worcester County Assistant District Attorney John Bradley Jr.
Prosecutors said Desilets pushed his wife out the window but the defense said forensic evidence did not support that. Defense attorneys used a fake window and real glass to prove their argument.
“She didn’t get pushed out that window. She jumped or fell out of that perch,” said defense attorney Michael Wilcox. “That’s what happened, it’s not up for debate.”
Defense attorneys said Kathleen Desilets had alcohol and Valium in her system at the time of the incident.
Statement from Kathleen Desilets’ daughters and brother:
“Her death remains a heartbreaking loss and we miss her every day. It was enormously disappointing to see her character and reputation targeted during this trial. The tactics used by the defense were unacceptable.”
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