2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 11/27/07 Section: News
Robb pleads guilty to killing wife
Econ prof admits to bludgeoning wife, Ellen, to death; reaches deal on manslaughter charge
Emily Babay
Last December, Economics professor Rafael Robb "lost it" during a fight with his wife, Ellen, about whether their daughter would return from an upcoming vacation in time to attend school.
That day, Dec. 22, 2006, Ellen Robb was found bludgeoned to death in the couple's Upper Merion home - a crime for which Rafael Robb admitted guilt yesterday.
Robb, 57, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, saying he used a chin-up bar to beat to death his wife of 16 years. Robb's trial on first- and third-degree murder charges was scheduled to begin yesterday.
With the plea for voluntary manslaughter - an intentional, unjustified killing committed in a heat of passion - Robb avoided taking his chances at a trial, where a first-degree murder conviction would have carried a sentence of life in prison.
Robb also avoided the possibility of waiting in jail up to three years before a trial even began due to potential appeals by the prosecution regarding pre-trial motions.
But Robb will almost certainly still face prison time: Voluntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison, and Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor said he would ask for a "substantial" sentence above the standard guidelines of 4 1/2 to 6 years in prison.
Penn officials have spoken with Robb's lawyers, University spokeswoman Phyllis Holtzman said, and have requested Robb's immediate resignation. Defense attorney Frank DeSimone said he still needs to speak about that request with Robb, who is currently awaiting sentencing in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
For everyone in the courtroom, yesterday was a day for reconciling with the past and moving forward.
Robb took the stand for his plea colloquy, acknowledging, among other things, that his decision to plead guilty was his own and that he understood the rights he was giving up with the plea, such as the right to a jury trial and to present a defense.
That day, Dec. 22, 2006, Ellen Robb was found bludgeoned to death in the couple's Upper Merion home - a crime for which Rafael Robb admitted guilt yesterday.
Robb, 57, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, saying he used a chin-up bar to beat to death his wife of 16 years. Robb's trial on first- and third-degree murder charges was scheduled to begin yesterday.
With the plea for voluntary manslaughter - an intentional, unjustified killing committed in a heat of passion - Robb avoided taking his chances at a trial, where a first-degree murder conviction would have carried a sentence of life in prison.
Robb also avoided the possibility of waiting in jail up to three years before a trial even began due to potential appeals by the prosecution regarding pre-trial motions.
But Robb will almost certainly still face prison time: Voluntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison, and Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor said he would ask for a "substantial" sentence above the standard guidelines of 4 1/2 to 6 years in prison.
Penn officials have spoken with Robb's lawyers, University spokeswoman Phyllis Holtzman said, and have requested Robb's immediate resignation. Defense attorney Frank DeSimone said he still needs to speak about that request with Robb, who is currently awaiting sentencing in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
For everyone in the courtroom, yesterday was a day for reconciling with the past and moving forward.
Robb took the stand for his plea colloquy, acknowledging, among other things, that his decision to plead guilty was his own and that he understood the rights he was giving up with the plea, such as the right to a jury trial and to present a defense.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Hanibal
posted 11/28/07 @ 1:20 AM EST
Wow ... unbelievable,
You mean to tell me, with all the opinionated poster's on this site about all the goings on at Penn and in the surrounding area, that no one decided to post about this one? Things that make you go "hmmmmm. (Continued…)
Hanibal
posted 11/28/07 @ 2:01 AM EST
And what effin "passion" are these people talking about. C'mon, let's face it. This is one of the most ridiculous justifications ever made. What is so passionate about killing your wife with a pull-up bar . (Continued…)
hi
posted 12/18/07 @ 6:36 PM EST
Why did he then try to make it look like burglar did it?
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