Husband Who Murdered His Wife In Drunken 'Scorpion' Cruise Ship Rage Sentenced To Life
Robert McGill, a 57-year-old teacher from Los Angeles, was sentenced to life in prison today by a federal judge for the 2009 murder of his wife during a cruise to Cabo San Lucas.
High school sweethearts, the couple had embarked on a five-day Mexican cruise aboard a Carnival Elation ship to celebrate McGill's 55th birthday when he apparently snapped. Huffington Post reports that McGill apologized for his actions during the hearing in San Diego but neglected to explain why he beat and strangled his 55-year-old wife, Shirley, to death.
After the fatal incident on July 14, 2009, McGill told FBI investigators that he hallucinated after downing half a bottle of Mezcal and seven or eight beers. He believed the scorpion in the bottle fueled his murderous fire. He was arrested on July 16, 2009 when the ship docked in San Diego.
His story did not sit well with U.S. Chief District Judge Irma Gonzalez, who noted that McGill cleaned himself up after beating his wife in the bathroom of their cabin and then headed to the upper deck to enjoy a cigar. Contra Costa Times reports that McGill topped off the night by also drinking beers from a bucket.
An autopsy report showed that Shirley died of blunt-force injury to her skull and brain and strangulation.
McGill pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. His defense attorney asked that his sentence total 11 years and three months, but McGill was handed a sentence for life. His motive still remains unclear.
L.A. Now reports that McGill had worked for the L.A. County Office of Education since 1979 and taught at-risk teens in Canoga Park. The couple had been married for five years and lived in Winnetka.
