Convicted Killer, 92, Sent to State Hospital

A 92-year-old Fillmore man who strangled his wife two years ago and was found legally insane for doing it was ordered committed to Patton State Hospital on Wednesday.

Looking alert and relaxed, Alfred Pohlmeier appeared briefly in Ventura County Superior Court for his sentencing.

A jury found the retired postal worker guilty of second-degree murder in February for killing his 86-year-old wife, Lidwina, on Sept. 13, 1995.

Pohlmeier admitted to authorities that he had been thinking about killing his wife of 62 years because her nagging cough had been keeping him awake at night.

But during a weeklong sanity phase that followed his murder conviction, the jury found that Pohlmeier suffered from two brain injuries that caused him to “snap” and strangle his wife.

Because he was found legally insane, Pohlmeier’s sentence of 15 years to life in prison must be served at a state hospital.

If his mental condition improves after six months, Deputy Public Defender Susan Olson said, Pohlmeier could be released from the state hospital in San Bernardino County to an outpatient facility or to his children’s care.

“We are hoping that eventually he can be with his family,” Olson said outside the courtroom Wednesday. “That’s our goal.”