Pastor Life Sentence Without Parole: Arthur Schirmer Charged in Brutal Murder of Second Wife, Did Former Methodist Churchman Kill First Wife Too?

Reports confirm that former Methodist pastor Arthur Schirmer was handed down a life sentence without the chance of parole in Pennsylvania on Monday, March 18 after he was found guilty of brutally murdering his second wife, Betty. Schirmer is currently awaiting trial in a second murder case involving the 1999 death of his first wife, Jewel. Although Schirmer maintains his innocence in both killings, do Mstars fans think the former churchman was troubled enough to murder both of his late wives?

During trial, prosecutors claimed that Schirmer tragically pummeled Betty in the head with a crowbar in 2008. He then allegedly stuffed Betty's lifeless body into the couple's vehicle, and tried the stage the murder as if it were a car accident. According to Schirmer, the deadly "accident" occurred when he swerved on the road to avoid hitting a deer. However, evidence proved that Betty's severe injuries were not consistent with a car crash. Blood was reportedly discovered on the floor of the Schirmer's garage, and prosecutors showed that the former churchman even attempted to clean the crime area.

A jury convicted Schirmer of first-degree murder earlier this year - the mandatory sentence (life in prison without parole) was handed down by a judge in Monroe County court Monday morning.

"My mom is finally able to rest in peace," Betty's son Nate Novack emotionally explained to reporters after the sentence hearing. "We do have some closure and it's a great day overall, even though the life conviction isn't going to bring my mom back."

Following the suspicious circumstances surrounding Betty's unfortunate death, authorities ultimately re-opened the case involving Schirmer's first wife, Jewel. In 1999, the former pastor said that he found his wife dead from an apparent fall at the couple's home. After reviewing evidence, prosecutors also charged Schirmer with her murder. That case is currently pending

A grand jury report released last September states:

"We find it particularly disturbing and difficult to believe that both of [Arthur] Schirmer's wives could have suffered such horrific injuries by accident. To the contrary, we believe probable cause exists to believe that neither woman died from an accident."