Radio Host Plays a different Tune called "Murder"
Missouri radio talk show host arrested during a commercial
break has pleaded not guilty in Massachusetts in the slow poisoning death of his
wife.
Authorities say James Keown, 31, laced Julie Keown's Gatorade with a
substance found in antifreeze, ethylene glycol, while the couple lived in Waltham,
Mass., reports Christina Hager of CBS station WBZ-TV in Boston.
James was arraigned in a court in Cambridge, Mass.
Julie lapsed into a coma and died in September 2004 after suffering for
months with what prosecutors say were unexplained symptoms such as nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea and a rash on her leg. She was 31.
James then moved back to Missouri, where he was working at KLIK radio in
Jefferson City when he was taken into custody Wednesday, and brought back to
Massachusetts.
Julie and James had moved to Waltham from Missouri eight months before she
died.
Police say James told family members he came to Massachusetts to attend
Harvard Business School, but that was a lie. It's believed, reports WBZ-TV's Teri
Adler, that James moved Julie away from her family with the intent of killing
her.
James' motive, authorities say, was a $250,000 life insurance policy on his
wife.
Julie's parents came to Cambridge from their Missouri home to watch their
son-in-law's court session.
Her father, Jack Oldag, told reporters, "We will miss hearing her laugh and
seeing her smile for the rest of our lives. …It is now time for Julie to
receive the justice and dignity she truly deserves."
But James insists he didn’t do it.
His lawyer, J.W. Carney, Jr. said James "remains in mourning for her passing."
He added, "It's always suspect when the prosecutors need a year to get enough
evidence to even obtain an indictment."
Keown was held without bail, says Hager, and will remain behind bars in
Cambridge until his next scheduled court session next month.
If you are in an abusive situation or know someone who is, please consider getting help. Calls are free and confidential where you would be directed in your area by calling The National Coalition Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or for the hearing impaired at (TDD) 1-800-787-3224.
Susan Murphy Milano is the author of "Moving Out Moving On" when a relationship goes wrong and "Defending OUr Lives" getting away from domestic violence & staying safe. Website: www.movingoutmovingon.com. Or you can email her at Kindlivinginc@aol.com with questions or for direction on your case.
