PORTLAND, Oregon — Monday’s sentence for a self-published romance writer who wrote an essay called “How to Murder Your Husband” online was for life. Parole is possible for her murder of her husband four years ago at his Portland workplace.
Nancy Crampton Brophy (71) was convicted on May 25 of second-degree murder. This came after a seven week trial. Monday’s sentence includes parole possibility after 25 years of confinement, NBC affiliate KGW-TV reported Monday.
Prosecutors claimed that Crampton Brophy shot Dan Brophy (63) at the Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, because she was able to benefit financially from his life insurance payout. Although the essay Crampton Brophy wrote years before the case was brought to national attention, it was not allowed as evidence in the trial.
According to the prosecution, the couple were in financial trouble at the time of the murder. She claimed that she had purchased a “ghostgun” kit online and later bought a Glock 17 handgun from a gun fair.
Crampton Brophy’s lawyer argued that the evidence from the state was not sufficient. He also disputed the claims about financial trouble and called witnesses to testify about the couple’s loving and strong relationship. Crampton Brophy, who also testified, said that her husband and she had purchased life insurance policies together as part of their retirement planning. She also stated that they had a plan for reducing their debt.
