VERDICT: Bedford County Woman Convicted of 1st-Degree Murder for Killing Husband in 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Monday, September 18, 2023
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a Bedford County woman was recently convicted of first-degree murder for the 2018 death of her husband.
Late Friday afternoon, the jury found 75-year-old Nancy Focht guilty of first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. Focht faces a mandatory life prison term without parole when she is sentenced on October 27, 2023.
Prosecutors from the Office of Attorney General presented evidence at trial that, on September 11, 2018, Focht shot her husband, David G. Focht, Sr., in a shed outside their home following an argument. Focht called 9-1-1 and told the operator that her husband fired the shot, which was later proven to be false. She repeated this false narrative to the Pennsylvania State Police on the day of the shooting, and only confessed that it was she who fired the shot months later during an interview with investigators.
“The defendant murdered her husband and created a false narrative to hide what she did, ” Attorney General Henry said. “Thanks to the investigators and prosecutors who worked tirelessly on this case, she will be held accountable for her crimes. I hope this guilty verdict brings closure to the family and loved ones of Mr. Focht, who have waited patiently for justice to be served. ”
During a three-day trial in Bedford County Court, prosecutors presented physical evidence and testimony that disproved Focht’s initial version of events.
This case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Philip McCarthy and Deputy Attorney General Kevin Scheibel. The case was referred to the Office of Attorney General from the Bedford County District Attorney’s Office.
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