Central Missouri Man Accused of Wife’s Death Faces Reduced Charges

Prosecutors in central Missouri's Boone County have reduced the charges against an 88-year-old man accused of stabbing his wife to death.

KMIZ-TV reports that Donald Rowland of Columbia had been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death last Oct. 31 of 86-year-old Betty Rowland. But prosecutors on Thursday amended that charge to involuntary manslaughter.

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

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.

A message left Thursday with Rowland's attorney, James Hobbs, was not immediately returned.