John "Jack" Biggs Sr., 92, appears in court (left) and in a mugshot (right) following his arrest in the murder of his wife, Jane Biggs. (Maricopa County)
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - A 92-year-old former state trooper accused of stabbing his wife to death inside their Goodyear home made his first court appearance Saturday, where a judge ordered him held on a $1 million bond.
What we know:
John "Jack" Robinson Biggs Sr. was booked into Maricopa County jail on second-degree murder and aggravated assault charges following his release from a local hospital. Authorities say Biggs tried to end his own life by taking pills after the Aug. 24 killing of his 89-year-old wife, Jane Biggs.
92-year-old man arrested after wife found dead at Goodyear home: police
A 92-year-old man was arrested after his wife was found dead with signs of trauma inside a Goodyear home.
The hearing was delayed for nearly 20 minutes as court personnel finagled with Biggs' hearing aids so the wheelchair-bound suspect could follow the proceedings. Prosecutor Brooke Gaunt detailed a violent scene inside the home near 150th Avenue and Indian School Road, saying that Jane Biggs suffered multiple stab wounds to her neck as well as defensive wounds on her hands and arms. The victim's body was discovered in the master bedroom by the couple's adult son, who had flown in from out of state after he said his father started "exhibiting signs and symptoms of dementia."
What they're saying:
"We certainly recognize his age and lack of criminal history," Gaunt told the judge, while emphasizing "the serious nature of these allegations" and arguing that Biggs remains a danger to the public and his family.
Defense attorney Zach Murphy advocated for a far lower $25,000 bond, emphasizing Biggs' clean record and a quarter-century of public service as a Maryland state trooper. Murphy pointed to a recent, uncharacteristic mental decline as a key factor in the incident. "There appears to be some odd behavior that didn't exist before," Murphy told the court.
Biggs tried to speak up to give his own account of what happened during the hearing, but his attorney quickly shut him down and advised him to remain quiet.
What's next:
The judge ultimately agreed with the state, setting bail at $1 million. If Biggs manages to post bond, he will be placed on house arrest with electronic monitoring and barred from contacting his family. His next court date is set for Sept. 4.
Map of the area where the alleged murder occurred:
The Source: Information in this report was gathered from the Goodyear Police Department and Maricopa County Superior Court.