Arm wrestling champion convicted of manslaughter 'after his wife jumped to death to escape alcohol-fueled fight'
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An arm wrestling champion has been found guilty of manslaughter after his wife jumped to her death from a window to allegedly escape an alcohol-fueled fight between them.
On Friday Allen Stilkey, 41, will be sentenced for the February death of 44-year-old Lisa Stilkey after prosecutors said he threatened to kill her himself moments before her death in Douglas, Massachusetts.
Prosecutors said Stilkey was heard on the phone by Mrs Stilkey's 23-year-old son promising to kill her just before she jumped from their second-floor bedroom window.
Happier times: Allen M. Stilkey has been convicted of manslaughter in the death of his wife Lisa A. Stilkey, who was pronounced dead on her arrival to hospital in February
They also said he had recently taken out a $250,000 life insurance policy on her.
The Telegram & Gazette of Worcester reports both sides agreed that the couple, who met online four years ago, were having marital and financial problems, and the fight began after they had been drinking heavily during a night out.
'His words, his actions, nothing else led to Lisa's death,' Assistant District Attorney Brett Dillon said. 'Did Lisa start the fight? Maybe. Did the defendant finish it? Absolutely.'
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ShareAuthorities say Lisa Stilkey threw a pillow out a second-floor window of their Douglas home before jumping out herself in an attempt to flee from her husband.
Earlier reports said that Stilkey threw his wife out the window, which he denies.
She suffered severe injuries and was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead on the morning of February 10.
Sentencing: Allen Stilkey, pictured in 2010 holding the National Championship trophy from the American Armsport Association, will be sentenced on Friday for her death
Prosecutors said that it was after Stilkey turned to texting a 20-year-old woman on his cell phone during the course of their fight after a night out that things grew violent.
Neighbor Craig Couffer who was interviewed by police immediately after her death described Mrs Stilkey and her husband as a nice young couple, who appeared to be close.
'They were always with each other,' he told Worcester Telegram and Gazette.
Linda Bombara, who lives across Gilboa Street from the Stilkeys, said she went to high school with Lisa Stilkey and that her daughter would go on vacations with her.
Scene of her death: The window of their home was not broken, but it appeared that police were paying attention to the surrounding area after finding a pillow from the grass outside the home
Mrs Bombara said Mrs Stilkey was a nice person.
'I'm shocked,' she said.
Before he moved to Massachusetts, Stilkey was the Rhode Island director for the International Armwrestling Federation, and traveled throughout the country competing and winning titles, said William Cox of Lakeville, executive director of the federation to Bostom.com.
He is listed as arm wrestler of the year for 1995 on the group’s website.
'I’ve never known him to be violent,' Mr Cox said. 'I’ve known quite a few of the girlfriends he’s had in the past. I’ve never heard anything vaguely, or remotely related to abuse,' he told the website.
Charges: The former International Arm Wrestling Federation arm wrestler faces charges of manslaughter, assault and battery and threatening to commit a crime
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