RICHMOND —
A man who admitted to spiking his wife’s coffee with rat poison was denied probation Friday and sentenced to six and a half years in prison.
As part of a mediation agreement, 56-year-old William T. Cain pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree manslaughter last month. His victim, Deborah Cain, participated in the mediation process that determined the sentencing recommendation.
Cain’s attorney made a plea for probation to Madison Circuit Court Judge William Clouse, stating the lifelong resident of Madison County had little in the way of a criminal record prior to the rat-poison incident.
The defense attorney said Cain was not a danger to the community.
“It was a misguided play to get attention from his wife,” he said.
The attorney added Cain never meant to kill his wife, and that he “plans on going on to live his life apart from Deborah.”
The couple separated in August 2011, and Deborah Cain filed for divorce in 2012, according to family court records.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Smith argued against Cain being granted probation.
“This could have ended very badly, we’re lucky it didn’t,” Smith said
Smith added that Cain knew his wife was taking a blood thinning medication, which would’ve immediately caused serious complications if his wife had drunk the coffee mixed with rat poison.
Smith said that granting Cain probation would be a “slap in the face of Deborah Cain and the community.”
Clouse called the case “novel,” but added that didn’t take away from the seriousness of the crime. He also said anytime a person tries to kill someone, the perpetrator is a danger to the community.
“Six and a half years is a very generous offer from the Commonwealth in this case,” Clouse said before he denied the motion for probation.
Cain will be eligible for parole after serving 20 percent of his sentence, which is a little over a year. He has been at the Madison County Detention Center since May 6 and will have already served nearly 300 days.
Cain originally was charged with attempted murder after his wife called police May 6, telling them that her husband had put rat poison in the bottom of her coffee pot.
Richmond officers took the coffee for testing, according to an RPD news release. Cain was found later and during an interview with officers, admitted he had tried to poison his wife.
“(Cain) stated his wife argues with him over everything, and he could not take it anymore,” RPD Officer Paul Hogan wrote in the arrest report.
Cain’s attorney said the man knew the rat poison would cause harm to his wife because she was taking a blood thinner medication.
Local News
Related Photos
-
William T. Cain, 56, approaches the bench Thursday in Madison Circuit Court. Cain pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree manslaughter and admitted he put rat poison in his wife’s coffee on May 6. Photo by Kaitlin Keane/Richmond Register
-
Deborah Cain watches the court proceedings against her former husband Thursday. Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Smith recommended a sentence of six and a half years in the case. Kaitline Keane/Richmond Register
Judge denies probation in rat-poison case
Cain sentenced to six and a half years in prison
- Local News
-
-
Board eyes cost-cutting options
In a special-called work session Tuesday, the Madison County School Board looked at ways of reducing a projected $2.84 million draw from its reserves to fund the 2013-14 budget.
-
‘Berea’s Unsung Heroes’
A group of Bereans were honored Tuesday night at the Berea Community School Board, many of which had never been in the spotlight before.
-
Berea relaxes yard sale ordinance, may restrict fireworks
The Berea City Council adopted a new yard sale ordinance Tuesday, but only after it was amended twice.
-
Items stolen, but no one injured in home invasion
Berea police are looking for a man who broke into a First Street home Monday and threatened a resident with a knife.
-
Madison County veterans to host Memorial Day ceremonies
The Madison County Veterans Association, which includes a number of local veterans’ organizations, will be hosting two Memorial Day ceremonies Monday.
The first will take place at the Richmond Cemetery near the flagpole at 10 a.m., and the second will follow at noon in Madison County Memorial Gardens on Berea Road.
Everett King of the American Legion, which is coordinating this year’s events, said U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Sixth District, will be present at the morning ceremony.
Every year the Memorial Day event has a theme. Last year’s theme was honoring Vietnam veterans, King said, while this year’s theme is honoring all American soldiers. -
Another arrest made in rash of business burglaries
Another local man has been arrested in connection with a “smash-and-grab” business burglary in April.
-
Memorial Day 5K to benefit Hospice Care Plus
For the second year, Chick-fil-A is donating the proceeds from its Spicy Memorial Day 5K race to Hospice Care Plus.
-
Donations to national charities is best way to help disaster victims
The best way to help with relief efforts associated with the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma is to contact national organizations such as the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army, according to a statement from the Madison County Emergency Management Agency.
-
Storm topples towering motel sign
No one was injured late Tuesday afternoon when a brief but severe storm blew a Red Roof Inn sign from its base and sent it crashing into a pickup truck parked at the motel. Strong thunderstorms are expected today.
-
Craft lovers fill Kirksville Community Center
The Kirksville Community Center was packed with artists and craft lovers Saturday for the Spring Gathering craft/vendor fair.
Many talented local and regional crafters were set up for the event.
One of the youngest was Laisha Gaines, a 10-year-old from Georgetown, who was selling homemade crafts with her grandmother, Jayne Gaines of Paris. Gaines said she started crafting with Laisha when she was only 3.
Laisha has now taken up most of her grandmother's stand with her creations, from wooden owls to beaded jewelry to small quilted items that are quirky and cute. - More Local News Headlines
-
Board eyes cost-cutting options
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
