Share ; That was not an option, said St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, according to the television station. Beau Hampton Rothwell, 31, was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder in the Nov. 11, 2019, beating death of Jennifer Elizabeth Rothwell, 28, inside their Creve Coeur home. Engineer Beau Rothwell Convicted of 2019 Murder Jurors Don't Buy "Red Haze" Defense and Frown On Pros and Cons List of Leaving Your Pregnant Wife. On Monday, he was charged with first-degree murder, tampering with physical . Days later, Rothwell posted on Facebook that his wife was missing. He then answered that he didnt hope it was a miscarriage, but didnt want to have to make a decision about his relationship at that point. As the verdict was read in the courtroom, Beau Rothwell closed his. Jennifer, 28, died on Nov. 11, 2019, after the couple engaged in an argument over an affair that her husband was having, Rothwell admitted on the stand. Embracing the accidental death theory, Rothwell's defense team had asked jurors to acquit him of first-degree murder, but find him guilty only of abandoning her corpse, evidence tampering and voluntary manslaughter. Beau Rothwell testified he was standing behind his wife and hit her with a mallet in a red haze of anger and then followed her as she stumbled towards the garage to escape. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Beau admits the pair talk almost every day since he was arrested in 2019. In which case, Beau would leave Jennifer for his mistress. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole when he is sentenced in July. A Missouri man who beat his pregnant wife to death in their home before discarding her naked body in the woods will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Beau explained he went into panic mode, believing he had to hide and fix the situation. Beau was arrested just hours after posting a plea for help on social media. Something went wrong, please try again later. Every fiber in my body was saying Do something or Id die. After killing Jennifer, I thought I had to clean this up and hide what Id done, he said. He also told the jury he still communicates with his mistress. The list was discovered in a. He reported his wife missing during a winter storm. battered Jennifer Rothwell and searched for advice on how to deal with a spouse upset by a . '20/20' Goes Inside Case of Woman Convicted of Killing Allegedly Abusive Boyfriend, Husband of Missing Pa. When he refused, he said, she became upset and reportedly told him that her own pregnancy was the result of an affair with another man. They later married in 2015. "I believe I cracked her skull, she fell unconscious and fell down the stairs.". (KMOV) - All eyes were on 29-year-old Beau Rothwell who is on trial for killing his wife days after learning she was pregnant inside the packed St. Louis County courtroom. Please, if you hear of anything or have any information it would be greatly appreciated.. On October 26, 2019, Beau explained Jennifer texted about getting a pregnancy test. She had been hidden beaneath some heavy brush and shrubs. A Missouri Beau Rothwell, is charged with murdering his wife, Jennifer Rothwell, who was six weeks pregnant at the time of her death. But when her latest mission lands her in a London courtroom, she has only one hope of survival. His voice cracked when he described driving until I got lost.. A woman who was found dead a week after her husband's report that she was missing sought a cure. Beau Rothwell claims his wife demanded him to reveal his mistress name but he refused. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Bates then testified that Beau and the woman reportedly outlined three possible scenarios for his future with his lover: Option #2: Tell Jennifer that he had an affair and wants a divorce. Soon after, Rothwell led authorities to where hed dumped her battered body, which was found in a wooded area located about an hour away from the couples home. Whiteside described it as saturation staining.. Around 2 a.m., Beau said he decided he needed to move the body. I didnt want a miscarriage.. The jury consists of five white men, one black man and six white women. Beau Rothwell, 31, was found guilty on Thursday for the killing. They also discovered bloodstained carpets soaked in. On Nov. 4, Jennifer Rothwell was visiting websites and forums with the topic of Husband doesnt care about pregnancy. On Monday, detectives searched a four-mile stretch of Highway 61 in Troy, Missouri, for about six hours before finding Jennifer Rothwell's body about 20 yards off the shoulder in a wooded area.. A Missouri man was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for the November 2019 murder of his pregnant wife. In the heat of the moment, I hit her again. Beau was charged with second-degree murder and evidence tampering for the November 2019 slaying of his wife, who was six weeks pregnant at the time, at their home near Creve Coeur. Her car, however, had been found by officers nearly 12 hours before hed made the call to report her missing. He said he struck his wife in the head from behind with a mallet, then followed her as she tried to escape towards the garage door. Rothwell told cops that her body had been dumped along Highway 61. As part of their investigation, cops scoured phone records and found an unknown number which belonged to a woman Rothwell was having an affair with. Similar to Wednesday, Beau Rothwell kept his poker face as the prosecution questioned a DNA forensic expert about DNA samples found inside the couples home and in his truck. Smith zeroed in on four important dates: Oct. 29, Oct. 30, Nov. 3, and Nov. 4. After the murder, Rothwell tried to clean up the crime scene, buying bleach and paper towels to clean the house. According to The Independent, Rothwell was convicted of first-degree murder by a jury in Missouri. Investigators allegedly identified him on video buying . "Part of me wants this pregnancy to not work out." . Just a few months before killing Jennifer, Rothwell compiled a list of the apparent pros and cons of ending the couple's marriage. The detective who found Jennifer described said he noticed a pale object in the brush and went to examine the area closer. Mom Found Guilty of Killing Toddler Son, Burning Body and Burying Him in Yard, Scott Peterson Denied a New Trial, Will Remain in Jail for Murdering His Pregnant Wife Laci. It was a normal internal discussion Beau was having about his marriage. Over the next few days, the Rothwells would discuss nursery room designs, health care, and making a monthly baby calendar. You took an object and smashed it in her head while a baby was in her womb! Smith interjected. He reported her missing and also participated in search parties with her relatives and co-workers.. A list reviewing some pros and cons was found by his supervisor in a notebook at work. Rothwell, 31, said he went into a "red haze" and hit Jennifer in the head with a mallet. 1634268499 (01634268499) Who called me from phone number 016 3426 8499 Medway. Yes, I searched for her car, put up missing flyers, and posted on social media, Beau Rothwell cries. DNA evidence confirmed the blood belonged to Jennifer Rothwell. Gershom Norfleet, a forensic pathologist with St Louis County Medical Examiners Office, revealed Jennifer died of blunt cranial cerebral trauma. Prosecutors also produced graphic images from when Jennifer Rothwells body was discovered and during the eventual autopsy. I believe I cracked her skull, she fell unconscious and fell down the stairs.. The woman he was having an affair with wrote that he had always wanted a kid so its a good thing.. He claimed she shoved him before blurting out keep your mystery (expletive), Ive got someone too.. Beau Rothwell went to work as usual and later sent several text messages to his wife's phone to make it appear he was concerned about her whereabouts, according to the news station. Prosecutors alleged the word something implied Rothwell was planning to kill Jennifer. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? ST. LOUIS Beau Rothwell told a jury he killed his pregnant wife with a kitchen mallet after admitting to her that hed been having an affair since the summer. The man thought it had evidentiary value. Beau Rothwells lawyer does not dispute that Rothwell struck a fatal blow to his wifes head, but the defense claims Beau did not plan to commit murder. Beau Rothwell, 31, admitted bludgeoning 28-year-old Jennifer Rothwell to death with a mallet in their Missouri home in November 2019 during his St Louis County Circuit Court trial last week. He explained Jennifer got home around 5:15 p.m. and together they watched Netflix and then headed upstairs to the kitchen to make dinner. On Nov. 11, the day of Jennifers death, Beau says his wife was texting him questions about insurance benefits for the baby. "I believe I cracked her skull, she fell unconscious and fell down the stairs.". Rothwell told the court that he and his wife - who was six weeks into her pregnancy when she died - had argued at their home about his affair. At trial Tuesday, the prosecuting implied Beaus use of or something in the message could have meant he was already planning to kill his wife. During the afternoon testimony, the jurors were shown the basement carpet and reddish-brown stains on them by the prosecution. In Highland Secrets, with her imprisoned mother's liberty at stake, Jacobite sympathizer Diana Maclean steals into the dungeon of . The doctor said Jennifer suffered as many as three blows to her head, the worst of which fractured the right side of her skull and knocked her unconscious. This should have never happened, Beau Rothwell said during the sentencing nearing, according to KSDK. Jennifer and Beau Rothwell had been married for four . The defense attorney asked Beau if he had hoped it was a miscarriage. They later married in 2015. Rothwell will be sentenced for his charges of first-degree murder on 8 July, where the 31-year-old could be sentenced to life without parole. Option 2 Beau would admit to an affair and seek a divorce from Jennifer. A jury has convicted a Missouri man of murdering his pregnant wife after cheating on her and writing a list of reasons to leave her. Ben Rothwell was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin in . 4 Beau Rothwell was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his wife Jennifer Rothwell Credit: Alamy A Missouri man was convicted on Thursday after testifying to beating his pregnant wife to death and hiding her naked body. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Once seated, Beau Rothwells lead attorney Charles Barberio wasted no time divulging into his clients account of their marriage and what led up to his wifes death. View our online Press Pack. He deliberated when he got the weapon, said Mr Smith, after pointing out that the pathologists testimony in the trial had confirmed that it was indeed the second strike that delivered the fatal blow against his wifes head. He then reported Jennifer missing. A Missouri man will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing his wife who searched on her phone what to do if your husband is upset you are pregnant before she went missing in 2019. Detectives later identified the number belonged to a woman whom Beau Rothwell was having an affair with. One shocking admission came during the final cross-examination between Rothwell and Smith regarding his mistress. Donning a suit and tie, Beau Rothwell quietly pushed himself from the defense table, stood in front of Judge Ellen Ribaudo, and took an oath to tell the truth. The 29-year-old locked eyes with each witness as they walked through the double doors. Jennifer Rothwell, at left, and Beau Rothwell. Messages detail conversations between Beau Rothwell, mistress leading up to pregnant wifes murder. Engineer Beau Rothwell Convicted of 2019 Murder. Barberio asked Beau about a message he sent to his mistress about the future of their relationship. The list introduced into evidence was found by Beaus boss at Ambitech Engineering where he worked in Westport. As Bates answered questions, Smith positioned himself at the edge of the jury stand and inches away from the stands filled with Jennifer Rothwells family. It stated three possible outcomes: ending things altogether, admitting an affair and getting a divorce from Jennifer, or waiting to see if a miscarriage or something happens and then decide what to do. Copyright 2022 KMOV. Detectives also noticed a small oscillating fan had been turned on in the basement and that a large pile of towels were still damp in the laundry room. He said he told her he was having an affair. Share this post. (KMOV) - The murder trial for Beau Rothwell, a St. Louis County man accused of killing his pregnant wife, entered the second day Wednesday. He says he had to keep up the facade of normalcy. He drove Jennifers car down Olive Boulevard, and ran it off the road so it looked like she got into a crash. Im really sorry but Ive been having an affair, Beau Rothwell began. Were you panicking while lying to your mother-in-law and father-in-law? Smith said while pointing at Jennifers parents who were sitting in the front row behind the prosecution. Beau Rothwell briefly walked the jurors down memory lane by recalling when he met his late wife at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2010 as lab partners, their shared love for games, and joining her family on annual trips to North Carolina. In cross-examination, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Smith shoots off a series of fast-paced questions: You testified youve never seen him angry? You testified that you have never seen him aggressive? But you werent at his residence on Nov. 11, 2019.. The jury, however, decided it was pre-meditated and he was convicted of first degree murder. Beau Rothwell testified that he was in a "red haze" of anger when the killing occurred, and his attorneys sought conviction on voluntary manslaughter instead of murder . Texting days later, Beau and his mistress settled on the third option, but with a caveat: if Jennifers pregnancy continued and there were no complications, they would go back to option 1. Despite agreeing to end the affair, the duo still communicated often. On Oct. 29, Beau Rothwell confessed that he broke off the affair due to the pregnancy announcement. Police did not provide details about how Rothwell died. The must-have horse racing tips, form and analysis. Beau Rothwell, 31, received the life sentence with no chance of parole in the slaying of his wife of four years, Jennifer Rothwell, who was pregnant at the time, KSDK reported Friday. The three men used adjectives like calm, even-tempered, and lowkey to describe the former project manager. Beau Rothwell was yesterday found guilty of murdering 28-year-old Jennifer Rothwell at a court in St Louis in the US. It turned into a chore, Beau explained in reference to their efforts to conceive. The stains were so severe they appeared on the concrete beneath the padding and the tack strips. The list was discovered in a notebook found at Rothwell's workplace by his boss, which was introduced as evidence at the trial that ended last week with the Missouri man's conviction. It lost its spark and felt like a chore.. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Her car is found abandoned just a mile from home. Beau Rothwell was found guilty on Thursday of first-degree. "To Jennifer's family, words cannot describe how sorry I am," he said. I feel terrible inside, Im a [expletive] mess. He testified that his wife told him to keep his "mystery bitch," and then alleged that the baby she was carrying was not his, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. When he refused to reveal the identify of the other woman, Rothwell said the argument turned violent. Beau Rothwell reported Jennifer Rothwell missing Nov. 12, 2019, telling authorities he'd last seen his wife, a chemical engineer at DuPont Chesterfield, as she left their home on Northwinds. Beau said he believed Jennifer when she said she also was having an affair. I thought I would have the courage to go through a divorce by now, Beau Rothwell wrote. 3. Rothwell, 28, was charged Nov. 14, 2019, with second-degree murder and tampering. Prosecutors argued the husband was a careful planner, showing texts between him and another woman in the months leading up to the murder and a list of pros and cons he compiled on whether he should leave his wife. Both the defense and prosecution asked Beau about lying to Jennifers family, coworkers, and police about what happened. He said he was juggling the delivery when their dog started barking, and that is when Jennifer came into the room and announced she was pregnant. Cops recovered blood and hair evidence from the basement of their home. The second would see Rothwell admitting to Jennifer that he was having an affair, and the third would involve him leaving Jennifer if she miscarried or something happened. One option was to stop talking to each other. Inside the St. Louis County courthouse Wednesday, Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Smith echoed as he presented evidence. Messages detail conversations between Beau Rothwell, mistress leading up to pregnant wifes murder, I feel terrible inside, Im a [expletive] mess. Rothwell then reported his wife missing. Rothwells Defense Attorney Charles Barberio asked Bates in cross-examination did something mean murder and the detective admitted it was open to interpretation and that there was never a mention of killing Jennifer Rothwell in their message on Oct. 29. Bates was involved in the beginning stages of the investigation and the missing persons report. Three options? I always wanted to be a dad. Two days. At least he can get me pregnant.. The seductive aristocrat who awakens treacherous desire is her clan's mortal enemya man she can never trust. Her body was found about 45 miles northwest of her home. Barberio asked if Beau had ever thought about killing anyone. It was a confusing time, Beau said. weird laws in guatemala; les vraies raisons de la guerre en irak; lake norman waterfront condos for sale by owner Jennifers body was found badly beaten about a week after she was reported missing. DNA samples from Jennifers parents matched with the blood found at the home, where Beau is alleged to have killed his wife. A Missouri man has been found guilty of beating his pregnant wife to death following an argument about his extramarital affairs. Highlighting the couples engineering background, he adds while looking at the jurors we measured body temperatures to see if she was ovulating. Beau later utters the pair mutually lost interest when their sex life felt clinical. Norfleet revealed she was struck at least three times to the head, Fox2 reported. His lawyer previously declined to comment on the charges. For their part, the prosecution worked throughout the trial to convey how meticulous Rothwell was, frequently depicting him as an intense planner. Beau Rothwell was convicted of first degree murder after killing his wife Jennifer, Beau Rothwell murdered his wife Jennifer with a mallet, Jennifer Rothwell was six weeks pregnant when she died, Beau Rothwell was having an affair when he killed his wife, Jennifer Rothwell was brutally killed by her husband in 2019, Man in court for 'murder' of girlfriend and three relatives in knife attack, Mystery murder of girl, 11, stabbed to death 'solved' after police find evidence. Happened, Beau Rothwell, 28, was charged Nov. 14, 2019, with second-degree and. Goes inside case of woman convicted of first degree murder residence on Nov. 4 mother-in-law and?... Their relationship Thursday of first-degree murder by a jury in Missouri adjectives calm! Clean up the facade of normalcy prosecution asked Beau if he had to hide and the! 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