Man called police and waited to be arrested for stabbing wife
Late last week a judge instructed the court to appoint an attorney for a Delavan man accused of stabbing his wife to death Jan. 6.
The man, Robert J. Scott, 56, was formally charged last week with first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly killing his wife, Rochelle R. Scott, 58.
On the day of the alleged crime, he told a police dispatcher, “I just murdered my wife,” and “I’ll be waiting in the driveway. I won’t be any problem. I’ll be unarmed,” according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday in Walworth County Circuit Court.
Court records indicate Rochelle Scott had filed for a divorce from her husband on Dec. 20.
According to the complaint, an autopsy performed on Rochelle Scott found more than 20 stab wounds, several of which could have been fatal. The autopsy also revealed that some of the stab wounds were so violent that they broke Rochelle Scott’s ribs.
Police arrested Robert Scott shortly after 10:30 a.m. Jan. 6 without incident in his driveway at 4003 S. Channel Dr. As an officer entered the residence Robert Scott allegedly told him, “She’s already gone,” in reference to his wife, according to the complaint.
Police found the body of Rochelle Scott on a bed covered in blood, the complaint contends. An officer found a large knife in a sink inside the home, as Robert Scott told officials they would.
The following day, on Jan. 7, Scott was ordered held on $1 million bond pending charges.
As a condition of bond Judge Phil Koss ordered Scott to have no contact with anyone associated with the victim, including his wife’s relatives. The ban extends to mail, telephone and other electronic devices. Scott appeared at the Jan. 7 bond hearing via video from the county jail, according to online court records.
Also on Jan. 7, prosecutors filed paperwork in court for search warrants seeking access to Scott’s mobile phone and a sample of his DNA.
According to police, officers were initially summoned to the couple’s home for an unknown problem. However, while officers were on the way, Scott allegedly admitted the crime to a dispatcher.
At his appearance in court Jan. 10 by video, Scott said he had not received a copy of the complaint. He told Koss he had prepared a petition for appointment of counsel but jail staff hadn’t been helpful in turning the paperwork into the judge.
Scott asked Koss what his options would be if his request for an attorney is denied. Koss explained Scott could attempt to hire an attorney on his own or represent himself, though the judge didn’t recommend the latter given the gravity of the charge Scott was facing.
On Jan. 11, Scott again appeared via video at which time Koss announced his ruling approving an attorney be appointed to Scott’s case and under current circumstances, repayment would not be required.
Scott’s initial appearance was again adjourned until Wednesday afternoon. At that time, Koss was expected to announce who Scott’s court-appointed counsel will be. According to online court records, Steven Harvey, Delavan, is listed as Scott’s attorney and the adjourned initial appearance is scheduled for 1:15 p.m., Jan. 22.
