Doctors say woman in Ore. mercy killing wasn't ill

GRESHAM, Ore. (AP) — Prosecutors say a fatal shooting in Gresham was murder, not mercy.

John L. Roberts, 51, called 9-1-1 on Feb. 2 to report that he killed his wife, Virginia, at their house. He told relatives and Gresham police that his wife suffered from the incurable Lou Gehrig's disease and she told him she would rather be killed than wait for it to progress.

Several friends and relatives told The Oregonian last week that they believed Roberts killed his wife out of compassion. They said the couple, married 12 years, seemed to have a happy marriage and had even renewed their vows in December.

But prosecutors on Monday painted a much darker picture of John Roberts.

To begin with, Virginia Roberts, 51, did not have a terminal illness, according to court documents filed after Roberts was indicted on a murder charge.

Dr. John Ellison, who examined Virginia Roberts last month, determined she was in overall good health but may have had carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ellison told authorities that Virginia Roberts said another doctor had diagnosed her with Lou Gehrig's disease. But that doctor told authorities he didn't tell Virginia or John Roberts that she had a fatal disease.

The documents also cast doubt on the happiness of the marriage.

Roberts told police he cheated on his wife with various women, including a prostitute he found on the Internet. Detectives also believe Roberts had problems with alcohol and his finances.

Detectives found several farewell notes written by John Roberts but none by his wife. In one of his notes, authorities say, Roberts wrote: "We decided this plan of action over four months ago. Agreeing to help Virginia not have to suffer any more was an easy decision. The hard decision was whether to go to jail or to join her. I've decided to join her."

Roberts told police he changed his mind about killing himself. In a telephone conversation recorded by authorities five days later, Roberts told one of his brothers that he didn't kill himself because his wife told him not to during a supernatural visitation shortly after he shot her.

Roberts, who is being held in jail without bail, is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday. His attorney, Angel Lopez, declined to comment.

Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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