Rostraver man waives hearing in wife’s suicide pact death
BELLE VERNON (AP) – An 80-year-old Pennsylvania man who told police he had a suicide pact with his wife has waived his right to a preliminary hearing on a charge he killed her.
Thursday’s waiver means Edward Friday must stand trial or cut a plea deal with Westmoreland County prosecutors in the death of 82-year-old Wilma Jean Friday.
Rostraver police said they found her bleeding from a large neck wound May 22.
Police said Edward Friday told them the couple had a suicide pact and he cut his wife’s throat because she couldn’t do it herself. Police said Friday then slit his wrists and took 20 painkillers but survived. She died two days later.
District Attorney John Peck said Friday didn’t assist in a suicide: “He killed her.”
Friday’s attorney declined to comment.