Estranged husband intends to plead guilty, accept life imprisonment for murder of Wyndmoor woman

Kenneth Crisden Shea Jr., 37, of Feasterville-Trevose, intends to plead guilty to a homicide charge and accept a life prison sentence for the April 10 fatal stabbing of his estranged wife, Elizabeth Shea, 57, of the Wyndmoor section of Springfield Township, the Delaware County Daily Times reported.

Shea’s lawyers revealed his decision during his first court appearance on Thursday, May 30. If nothing changes, he will plead guilty to first-degree murder and be sentenced to life imprisonment during a hearing on Monday, June 10.

“I get the sense that he wanted, more than anything, to give peace of mind to the victim’s children, particularly her youngest son, who I understand is going to be going off to college in the fall. And if he (Shea) could give him peace of mind knowing that this case was over and resolved when he went off to school to start his life, that he (Shea) wanted to do that. So, that was the main reason he came to that decision,” said defense lawyer Francis John Genovese, explaining Shea’s decision-making process as quoted by the Daily Times.

Shea was held for a trial after a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, May 7 on charges of first-, second-, and third-degree murder, burglary and possessing an instrument of crime in connection with the alleged murder.

The backstory of the incident can be found here.

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.

Photo: MontCo DA