Man Given Life Term Without Parole in Wife’s Death
SAN DIEGO — A husband found guilty of killing his wife by running her over with her Mercedes-Benz so he could cash in a $600,000 life insurance policy was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The sentencing ended the high-profile murder case of Charles Russ, 41, who was found guilty last month of murdering Pamela Allen Russ in La Jolla four years ago.
He never collected the insurance money, and he fled after police identified him as a suspect. He was finally captured in Florida after a landlady recognized him on the television program “America’s Most Wanted.”
Superior Court Judge Michael D. Wellington, in pronouncing sentence on Russ, said the defendant had the intelligence and demeanor to have been a success at whatever he tried, “but he used his gifts to con and betray everyone he knew.”
Wellington pronounced consecutive sentences amounting to 5 years and 8 months for theft, embezzlement and assault with a deadly weapon. Then he added the life sentence without parole.
Russ’ attorney, Public Defender William Youmans, said he would appeal.
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