A Cambridge man has been found guilty of killing his wife of 40 years.
Clark Sauve had been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the December 2014 death of Linda Sauve, at the couple’s home on Rouse Avenue in Cambridge.
He had pleaded not guilty to the crime, and had told investigators that the shooting came after two women tried to rob their house. During the trial, Sauve repeatedly asserted that he had not pulled the trigger.
Police never found any signs of forced entry at the home. They did find a semi-automatic pistol under Sauve’s bed, as well as gunshot residue on his hands.
The Crown contended that Linda Sauve’s death was part of a murder-suicide, which Clark Sauve ended up not following through with.
Justice Harrison Arrell found that explanation much more believable. In delivering his sentence, he said that Sauve “meant to kill or hurt” his wife.
He also lambasted Sauve for offering up an alibi that he described as being “riddle with inconsistencies and admitted lies.”
Multiple witnesses told the court that Sauve’s personality and demeanor had changed after a head injury he suffered in 2011, which left him unable to work.
A second-degree murder conviction carries an automatic sentence of life in prison. A judge will still have to rule on when Sauve will be eligible for parole – with anywhere from 10 years to 25 years permissible.
Sentencing will take place July 20.
