Arizona Man Accused in ‘Mercy Killing’ Goes Missing
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Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office(PHOENIX) — An Arizona man accused of shooting his wife to death in a so-called “mercy killing” removed his electronic monitoring bracelet while on house arrest and fled, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
An arrest warrant was issued on Monday for Howard Randolph, 79, after authorities said he cut off his electronic monitoring ankle bracelet and failed to show up for a pre-trial hearing.
Rudolph was arrested last August after his wife, Earlene Rudolph, 73, was found shot to death in the bathroom of the couple’s home in a Sun City, Ariz., retirement community.
After the killing, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said Rudolph told detectives his wife was sick and he couldn’t take it anymore.
Rudolph pleaded not guilty to a murder charge last year.
In February, he was released to the custody of friends while awaiting trial and was ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor and adhere to a curfew, according to the sheriff’s office.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy Joaquin Enriquez said Randolph is 6-foot-3, 180-pounds and is believed to have fled in a 2006 white Lincoln Town Car with the Arizona plate BER-4316. Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities.
Rudolph’s public defender did not immediately return a request for comment.
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