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Life term for elderly US killers | Life term for elderly US killers |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Two elderly women have been jailed for life for murdering homeless men to collect on life insurance policies. | Two elderly women have been jailed for life for murdering homeless men to collect on life insurance policies. |
Helen Golay, 77, and Olga Rutterschmidt, 75, pocketed nearly $2.8m (£1.4m) before they were caught. | Helen Golay, 77, and Olga Rutterschmidt, 75, pocketed nearly $2.8m (£1.4m) before they were caught. |
The women, who were convicted in Los Angeles in April, had befriended two homeless men, on whose behalf they took out life insurance policies. | The women, who were convicted in Los Angeles in April, had befriended two homeless men, on whose behalf they took out life insurance policies. |
After waiting several years to avoid raising suspicion, they killed the men by staging hit-and-run car accidents. | After waiting several years to avoid raising suspicion, they killed the men by staging hit-and-run car accidents. |
Paul Vados, 73, and Kenneth McDavid, 50, were run over by cars in alleyways - Mr Vados in 1999 and Mr McDavid in 2005. | Paul Vados, 73, and Kenneth McDavid, 50, were run over by cars in alleyways - Mr Vados in 1999 and Mr McDavid in 2005. |
Victims' relatives react to the verdict | |
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Wesley said that their victims had needed only food, water and shelter. | Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Wesley said that their victims had needed only food, water and shelter. |
"They needed a helping hand. They thought they were getting this from you. Instead these unfortunate men were sacrificed on your altar of greed." | "They needed a helping hand. They thought they were getting this from you. Instead these unfortunate men were sacrificed on your altar of greed." |
Relatives of the victims were in court to hear the judge sentence the women to life in prison without the possibility of parole. | Relatives of the victims were in court to hear the judge sentence the women to life in prison without the possibility of parole. |
Prosecutors had not sought the death penalty, but the two will die behind bars. | Prosecutors had not sought the death penalty, but the two will die behind bars. |
The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani, in Los Angeles, said that during their trial, Golay and Rutterschmidt had tried to put the blame on each other. | The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani, in Los Angeles, said that during their trial, Golay and Rutterschmidt had tried to put the blame on each other. |
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