Watch CBS News

Man Convicted Of Wife's 1983 Anaheim Murder

SANTA ANA (AP) — A photographer has been convicted of murdering his estranged wife in Southern California 27 years ago to avoid paying child support and losing custody of his daughters.

The district attorney's office says 64-year-old William Mordick was found guilty Wednesday and faces life in prison when he's sentenced next month.

He drove to the Anaheim Hills home of his estranged wife, Katherine, in January 1983 to pick up his children for a birthday party. Prosecutors say he put the girls, then 2 and 4, in his car, went back inside and slashed the woman's throat.

He later moved to Spokane, Wash., with the girls and became a commercial photographer.

Mordick was arrested in 2008 after DNA evidence from blood smears linked him to the crime scene. He testified he was innocent.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.