Dr. Mark Wangler, sentenced to a prison term of life without parole for 25 years. The jury found him guilty of the murder of his first wife Kathy after deliberating for about 11 hours.
There were immediate gasps after the verdict was read from family and friends on both sides. However, through all of the legal drama, Dr. Wangler remained nearly emotionless.
Kathy Wangler's mother, brothers and sisters all say they knew Dr. Mark Wangler had killed his wife.
Now nearly four and a half years after her death, a jury of eight women and four men, reached the same conclusion.
"This is for Kathy. Our family finally has closure. Thank you for everything," said Joe Schlarman, Kathy's brother.
The jury came back with a guilty verdict after about 11 hours of deliberation.
Prosecutor Juergen Waldick says there was one key piece of evidence which sealed their case.
"The most compelling is the 911 tape. When you listen, his version of events just don't add up. I think we pointed that out during closing statements. Really, the strongest evidence was the 911 tape," said Waldick
Wangler's lawyers have already told Judge Richard Warren they plan to appeal.
Lead attorney Christopher McDowell says the trial was unfair.
"What occurred here is the government permitted, at the last minute, a shift in theory," said McDowell, referring to the state bringing up that the carbon monoxide which killed Kathy could have come from a portable generator. "Had we known, we would have been able to rebut it."
Even though he was immediately sentenced to life without the chance of parole for 25 years, Wangler's second wife, Esther, is sure her husband will be out much sooner.
"He is innocent of these charges. He'll be out on appeal. We will stop at nothing to get him out on appeal. This is a cruel, cruel, bias investigation," said Esther Wangler.
Prosecutor, Juergen Waldick said this was the most difficult case he's ever presented. The jury had to weigh evidence from 38 witnesses.
