Posted on 04/15/2022 12:15:44 AM PDT by Tired of Taxes
STUART — A Port Salerno man who in 2020 told authorities he mistakenly shot and killed his pregnant wife in their home was spared a prison term Wednesday after he pleaded no contest to a manslaughter charge, according to a prosecutor and defense attorney.
Alex Rupp, 34, who was arrested Feb. 21 on one count of manslaughter with a firearm, had faced a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison, if convicted.
The charge indicates killing a person with a firearm without intention in circumstances not amounting to murder.
On Nov. 4, 2020, Rupp shot his wife Nicole Rupp in the head thinking she was an intruder at their home on Southeast Bollard Avenue because it was dark, according to a complaint affidavit.
Their unborn daughter was delivered via caesarean section from her deceased mother, according to Martin County sheriff’s officials. The infant girl had massive brain bleeds and respiratory distress and died after the family chose to take her off life support.
During Wednesday’s hearing, a judge sentenced Rupp to time served for the 52 days he spent at the Martin County Jail as part of a negotiated plea bargain with state prosecutors. He also will serve one year of community control followed by four years of probation, said Assistant State Attorney David Dodd.
Rupp was further ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any recommended treatment. And as a convicted felon, he won’t be allowed to own a firearm.
The shooting was under investigation for more than a year before Rupp was charged.
The delay in Rupp’s arrest, according to Dodd, was to give investigators time to properly investigate and evaluate the evidence before charging him with manslaughter.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
Thoughts?
Good accidental aim, for a guy claiming to be shooting in the dark.
my thought is that when women do this to their husbands, they don’t even have to worry about jail time.
How much insurance did he have on the wife? And how much of that insurance went into the Judge’s off shore bank account. How long will it take for the new wife, when he gets another one, to have a fatal “accident”? He learned how to get away with murder.
Rupp will strike again. Someone else will lose their life. When is the question.
I don’t believe him.
At the very best,only an idiot shoots at unidentified target in the dark.
Seems like a few idiots kill a family member or friend every year or so.
Sad the woman was married to either an idiot or a murderer.
At least this man should have been forced to make a public service announcement telling how stupid it is to shoot in the dark, sleep with gun at hand,etc.In addition to more jail time,like all weekends for 10 years.
Sorry but knowing what your muzzle us pointing it is basic. Negligent homicide in my view. Gun rights include gun responsibilities.
no deterrent life is cheap especially when the perp has a pretty good idea he will be out and about soon.
My exact thought also
You are taught to shoot for the center of mass not the head. I do not believe this was an accident.
See also the legendary “No-Toes” Finnegan.
From the article, “After he fired, he could see he shot his wife who fell to the floor”.
Thus, he could have seen it was his wife BEFORE he shot. IMHO, he got away with a double homicide. He should be doing life. Scott Peterson did a more elaborate double homicide because he didn’t want to be married anymore with a child on the way. This guy commits cold blooded murder and walks... SMH.
Thank you all for your thoughts. Looks like we all agree.
Nor do I.
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