Ohio Professor, 77, Sentenced to Life for Wife's Murder

Ohio Professor, 77, Sentenced to Life for Wife's Murder

A retired Ohio State University music professor will spend at least 15 years in prison for stabbing his wife to death, and he blames a sextortion scheme.

James Hill, 77, pleaded guilty Wednesday, Oct. 28, to murdering his wife, Mary Hill, 64. Franklin County Judge David Young sentenced him the same day to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. He also pleaded guilty to a charge for harming the family dog. Hill would be about 91 before he’s first eligible for parole.

On Nov. 9, 2025, Hill called 911 from the couple’s Upper Arlington home and asked for police and an ambulance. Officers found Mary Hill dead from a single stab wound to the chest. James Hill was on the couch, also wounded, and was rushed to the hospital.

Hill told police he had met a woman on a dating site and exchanged nude photos with her. He said that on the day of the killing, she demanded $15,000 in Apple Pay cards and threatened to release the images. Hill claimed he saw ending both his and his wife’s lives as the only way out, according to TrueCrimeNews.

By his own account, Hill grabbed a kitchen knife and walked into the home office where Mary was working at her computer. He said he rubbed her shoulders before stabbing her once in the chest, then held her as she died. He also tried to stab the family dog, which ran away. Afterward, he told police, he deleted photos and documents from his computer before calling 911.

Hill was originally charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors said he acted with prior calculation and design. His guilty plea came as part of a deal with prosecutors. With the sentence handed down, the case is closed and no further court dates are scheduled.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

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