Man Who Claimed Wife Killed During Sex Gets 24 Years : Went Too Far In Applying A Choke Hold
Source: www.msnbc.msn.com
January 8, 2006
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A former Memphis schools assistant principal who claimed his wife was killed accidentally during consensual rough sex has been sentenced to 24 years in prison without parole for second-degree murder.
Vern Glover Braswell, 35, was convicted last month for strangling Shelia Braswell at their home Nov. 5, 2004.
He testified he accidentally went too far in applying a choke hold with his forearm while they were engaged in consensual rough sex.
Braswell said they engaged in erotic asphyxiation, a practice in which sexual pleasure is heightened by temporarily reducing the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.
But a medical examiner said Shelia Braswell was strangled by someone's hands and that constant pressure was applied for three to seven minutes.
Assistant District Attorney General Betsy Carnasale said Braswell intentionally killed his wife and then made up a story about having an exotic love life.
She asked for the maximum sentence for Braswell -- who faced 15 to 25 years -- and noted that he had prior misdemeanor convictions for assault and theft. She added that Braswell had choked his wife and his girlfriend in anger during previous incidents.
Shelia Braswell, an occupational therapist, filed for divorce six months before her death, but apparently did not pursue the matter and never moved out of the home.
Defense attorney Jay Bailey said Braswell was a productive member of the community. He was an assistant principal at Hanley Elementary School, a rap music talent scout and the owner of a Memphis club.
