Murder charge amended for Columbia man accused of killing wife

A Columbia man accused of killing his wife in October 2014 appeared in Boone County Court Thursday.

88-year-old Donald Rowland was originally charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action after allegedly stabbing his wife, Betty, at 3426 Woodrail Terrace on October 31.

That first degree murder charged was amended to involuntary manslaughter Thursday.

Rowland waived his preliminary hearing.

Investigators were initially called for a man with a gunshot wound, but court documents said the couple was found lying in bed.

Betty was found with stab wounds to her chest, and Donald appeared to have self-inflicted wounds.

A witness removed two knives from the bed.

Court documents show Rowland told investigators he didn’t want himself and his wife to be a burden on their family.

Rowland scheduled for arraignment on March 2.