Rostraver man, 80, charged in wife’s homicide
Edward Paul Friday
The patio home in Rostraver Township where local police believe an elderly couple tried to carry out a suicide pact Sunday
BELLE VERNON – An 80-year-old Rostraver Township man was charged Friday afternoon with homicide in the death last month of his wife in a case local police initially labeled a botched suicide pact in their home.
District Judge Charles Christner sent Edward Paul Friday to Westmoreland County jail without bond following his arraignment in the death of Wilma Jean Friday, 82, who died May 24, two days after Rostraver police said her husband helped her slash her throat.
Edward Friday was arrested following his release Friday from Mon Valley Hospital in Carroll Township, where he was treated for slashed wrists, Rostraver police said.
Police were called to the couple’s home at 5127 Cedar Hills Boulevard about 4:45 p.m. May 22, where Edward Friday allegedly confessed to the events that led up to their injuries.
Edward Friday reportedly said he and his wife lived long enough and they agreed to kill themselves that afternoon. He said she retrieved a kitchen knife and started to cut her neck. He told police his wife couldn’t go through with suicide, prompting him to take the knife and cut her neck. Police claimed he also told officers he took 20 Oxycontin tablets after he realized he wasn’t dying from cutting his wrists.
Police said they asked Edward Friday if he “realized he was killing his wife,” and he said, “yes,” Sgt. Raymond J. Dugan stated in the affidavit supporting the criminal complaint in the case.
“The defendant did not offer or summon any medical assistance for the victim while she was laying in bed bleeding,” Dugan noted in the court document.
Edward Friday had scratch marks on his arms, injuries police allege occurred when his wife attempted to stop him from cutting her neck, court records indicate.
The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office determined Wilma Friday died in a Pittsburgh hospital from hemorrhagic shock attributed to an excessive amount of blood loss in a short period, caused by a wound to the left side of her neck.
The autopsy report also showed evidence Wilma Friday had suffered defensive wounds on her left hand and finger, the affidavit states.
Edward Friday is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. June 13 before Christner. Friday’s attorney, Robert G. DelGreco Jr. of Pittsburgh, could not be reached Friday afternoon.