Convicted Wife Killer Martin MacNeill Attempted Jail Suicide
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ABC News(PROVO, Utah) — Martin MacNeill, the Utah doctor who was convicted last month in his wife’s murder, has been hospitalized after attempting suicide in his cell, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
Guards intervened Thursday evening as MacNeill attempted suicide in his cell at the Utah County Jail, Sgt. Spencer Cannon of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News.
“He was discovered early enough by guards so his injuries were not life-threatening,” Cannon said. He declined to say how MacNeill tried to take his own life.
The doctor was taken by ambulance to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center where he was hospitalized overnight, according to Cannon. He is expected to be returned to the jail Friday.
Alexis Somers, one of MacNeill’s daughters who testified against her father at his murder trial, told ABC News that she was aware of his suicide attempt.
MacNeill faces another trial in February 2014 for allegedly sexually abusing one of his daughters after his wife died.
MacNeill was found guilty last month of first degree murder and obstruction of justice for the April 11, 2007, death of his wife, Michele MacNeill.
Prosecutors said MacNeill persuaded his wife to have plastic surgery so he could dope her up during her recovery and then drown her, clearing the way for his purported mistress, Gypsy Willis, to move in to the family’s home.
MacNeill’s defense lawyers said heart problems were a contributing factor in the mother of eight’s death and that the Utah doctor was not guilty.
MacNeill will be sentenced Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. His bail will remain at $1 million until sentencing.
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