TERRE HAUTE —
“I killed my wife.”
Robert E. Spitler II, 57, of Terre Haute, made that statement in Vigo Superior Court 3 on Tuesday morning when he appeared on a preliminary charge of murder.
Judge David Bolk cautioned Spitler that it was likely not in his own best interest to make a statement to the court, but Spitler went ahead after a lengthy pause, showing no emotion.
Detective John Childs of the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department testified in the initial probable cause hearing that at 10:52 p.m. Monday, a man called 911 to report that he had stabbed and killed his wife. When officers arrived at the home at 10:57 p.m., Spitler exited the front door and was arrested. Police then entered the home in the 4400 block of South Eighth Street, and found Shawn Singhurse Spitler, 50, lying on her back in a bedroom with multiple stab wounds to her chest.
Childs said police also found a 12-inch knife on the floor in the bedroom. The blade of the knife was 8 inches long.
Bolk set an initial hearing for 10 a.m. Friday in the case. Spitler was returned to the Vigo County Jail with no bail allowed.
And autopsy on Shawn Spitler was conducted Tuesday afternoon by forensic pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.
Reporter Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @TribStarLisa.
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Robert E. Spitler II
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