A Tampa, Florida man facing second-degree murder charges for beating his wife unconscious, ultimately leading to her death in 2021, has been charged with manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years in jail, according to reports.
Fox station WTVT in Tampa, Florida reported that in 2021, Phoebe Kelly Barker was brought to the hospital with bruises, broken bones, a brain hemorrhage, and severe burns, holding on for dear life.
A Tampa judge sentenced Anthony Barker to 12 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter.
(Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Just before she died, Phoebe told a nurse that “her husband became aggressive towards her and hit her against her will.”
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Her husband, Anthony Barker, 61, told police Phoebe reportedly fell out of bed, and her lawyers told a judge she died of kidney failure.
Barker went to trial in December on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault, but the jury overseeing the trial convicted him of manslaughter.
Phoebe Kelly Barker was taken to a hospital with bruises, broken bones, brain hemorrhage, and severe burns, eventually dying.
(Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
WTVT said that during Barker’s sentencing on Tuesday, he stood by his claim that Phoebe did not die from domestic abuse, but from a chronic illness.
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He begged for mercy and refused to admit wrongdoing.
“I have to say I didn’t do what they said I did,” Barker said Tuesday.
Phoebe’s mother, Phoebe Conklin, asked before sentencing that the judge sentence Barker to the maximum allowed by law, the news station reported.
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After family members spoke directly with Barker, Tampa Judge Christopher Sabella handed down a sentence of 144 months, or 12 years, with 555 credit days, for manslaughter.
