88-Year-Old Central Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Fatally Stabbing Wife

An 88-year-old Columbia man has pleaded guilty in the stabbing death of his 86-year-old wife.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reports Donald Rowland pleaded guilty in Boone County Circuit Court on Monday to first-degree involuntary manslaughter. His sentencing has been scheduled for April 13.

Rowland was originally charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of his wife, Betty Rowland, but prosecutors reduced those charges last month.

Authorities have said an adult daughter called police after going to the couple's home in October and finding her parents together in bed, both with stab wounds.

Police say Rowland told officers he killed his wife and tried to take his own life, because he didn't want them to be a burden on their family.