PHILADELPHIA – Authorities say a murder charge has been filed against an elderly northeast Philadelphia man accused of beating his wife to death and then making up a story about a home invasion.
Prosecutors said 75-year-old Lou Hartdegen was also charged Tuesday with possession of an instrument of crime, abuse of a corpse, false reports and aggravated assault in the death of his 74-year-old wife, Judith.
Homicide Capt. James Clark told reporters that Hartdegen initially told police his neighbor had broken into their apartment and began to attack the couple early Monday, but investigators found discrepancies between his statements and the crime scene. The neighbor was questioned for several hours.
Lou Hartdegen was treated for wounds to his head and neck. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
