L. POTTSGROVE TWP., Pa. - An 84-year-old man is accused of beating his wife to death in their Montgomery County home on Tuesday over cat vet bills.
Barton Seltmann was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Emmett Madden on charges of First-Degree Murder and Third-Degree Murder.
When police arrived, they found the defendant on the rear porch, with blood on his hands, face and clothing, according to the press release.
The following is the release from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office:
HUSBAND ARRESTED FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF HIS WIFE IN LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Pottsgrove Township Police Chief Richard Bell announce the arrest of Barton Seltmann, 84, for the First-Degree Murder of his wife, Margaret Seltmann, 85, in their home on North Keim Road in Lower Pottsgrove Township.
84-year-old Barton Seltmann was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Emmett Madden on charges of First-Degree Murder and Third-Degree Murder.
On Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at 2:26 p.m., Lower Pottsgrove Township Police responded to a 911 call from Barton Seltmann for an unresponsive female.
Police arrived to find the defendant on the rear porch, with blood on his hands, face and clothing.
Margaret Seltmann was found inside the home, obviously deceased.
Barton Seltmann was transported to Pottstown Hospital for treatment of a hand injury.
A joint homicide investigation by Lower Pottsgrove Police and Montgomery County Detectives found that Margaret and Barton Seltmann were arguing about money for veterinary care of their cat when the fight turned physical.
Evidence found on scene indicated that the victim was struck multiple times in the head while lying on the kitchen floor.
An autopsy was conducted on the body of Margaret Seltmann by Dr. Julia de la Garza, a forensic pathologist with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. Dr. de la Garza opined that the cause of death was blunt force injuries to the head and the manner of death was homicide.
Barton Seltmann was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Emmett Madden on charges of First-Degree Murder and Third-Degree Murder.
No bail is available for First-Degree Murder, and he was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m., Dec. 5, 2023, before Magisterial District Judge Edward C. Kropp Sr.
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY.