Doctor Ingolf Tuerk, from Dover, Massachusetts, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the death of his wife, Kathleen McLean, whom he is accused of strangling in 2020. He was initially charged with first-degree murder, but the jury convicted him of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. Tuerk is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16, leaving McLean’s family disappointed that they feel justice was not served.
The defense argued in closing that the killing was not premeditated, but rather a reaction to McLean’s plan to gain control of Tuerk’s money and assets. Tuerk claimed that the killing occurred in self-defense as McLean hit him in the head with a glass during an argument.
Prosecutors argued that Tuerk disposed of McLean’s body “like a piece of trash” and was motivated by concerns about losing his money, assets, and home. They claimed he calmly strangled McLean without provocation, and did not attempt to revive her or call for help after the incident.
Tuerk, originally from East Germany, met McLean on an online dating app and married in Las Vegas. They had a tumultuous relationship, with McLean obtaining a restraining order against Tuerk before reconciling during the pandemic. Tuerk testified that he doesn’t remember much of their wedding, and claimed that he blacked out during the altercation that led to McLean’s death.
Ultimately, Tuerk admitted to police what he had done and described disposing of McLean’s body in a pond. The trial, which began in March 2021, concluded with Tuerk being found guilty of voluntary manslaughter.
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