Bertrand Schroeder, 62, of 143 Haags Lane, pleaded Monday in Wayne County Court to voluntary manslaughter and one count of animal cruelty.
He had initially been charged with criminal homicide and 60 counts of animal cruelty.
He told police he had been drinking heavily and was “messing” with his rifles when his wife Donnalynn Schroeder was shot in the neck in September 2012.
She was airlifted to Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, but died in surgery six hours after being shot.
Because Mr. Schroeder is a convicted felon in New Jersey, he was not legally allowed to own a firearm.
Responding officers also found 50 Beagles — both adults and puppies — living in deplorable conditions inside the home.
They originally charged Mr. Schroeder with 60 counts of animal cruelty and the dogs were taken to the Dessin Animal Shelter in Honesdale.
Mr. Schroeder faces maximum prison sentences of 20 years for the voluntary manslaughter charge and three months for animal cruelty, said Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards. He is scheduled for sentencing on March 19.
(Times Tribune - Jan 6, 2015)
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