(NECN: Julie Loncich) - Harry Conover's adult children wept openly in Lowell District Court Thursday. The enormity of the situation, still raw for this Chelmsford family.
"Mr. Conover describes his wife as his entire world," said defense attorney, Julie Olsen.
The 73-year-old faces charges of operating under the influence and motor vehicle homicide, after Chelmsford Police say he hit his wife Sandra with his Ford Bronco in their driveway Wednesday night, killing her. He told police he didn't even know it had happened, but that it started with a fight.
"He had come home and he and his wife had gotten into an argument, that she had been out at lunch and returned home intoxicated. He also admitted that he had been drinking as well. He stated he had two shots of vodka," said prosecutor, Gina Kwon.
Conover told police he was trying to get away from his wife and from the argument, so he took off in his car down their driveway, but that's when he said she came out of the house, yelling for him to stop. Conover told police his wife began banging on the truck. he said it wasn't until he reached the cul-de-sac that he saw his wife on the ground. He told police he thought his wife was faking an injury and drove around the block. A few minutes later he returned to call 911. His wife of 53 years later died at the hospital.
"It doesn't appear, based on the facts that are in the Chelmsford Police Department police report that this is anything beyond an extremely devastating and tragic accident for this family," said Olsen.
The judge released Harry Conover on his own personal recognizance... and into the open arms of his distraught children. He is due back in court on September 1st, and is under strict orders not to drive or drive.
