FILE – The son, left, and daughter, back right, of Pittsburgh dentist Lawrence “Larry” Rudolph head into federal court for the afternoon session of the trial, July 13, 2022, in Denver. Rudolph accused of shooting and killing his wife in their cabin at the end of an African safari trip has denied that he killed her. Rudolph took the stand Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at his murder trial in Denver federal court. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
By COLLEEN SLEVIN Associated Press
DENVER (AP) — A wealthy dentist accused of fatally shooting his wife at the end of an African safari has been found guilty of murder and mail fraud. The verdict reached Monday for Lawrence “Larry” Rudolph came from a jury in a Denver federal court following a trial that lasted three weeks. Rudolph was charged with murder in the death of Bianca Rudolph as well as mail fraud for cashing in $4.8 million in life insurance claims in what prosecutors describe as a premeditated crime. Rudolph maintained his innocence. His attorney suggested his wife of 34 years shot herself while trying to pack a shotgun in a hurry as they prepared to return to the United States in 2016.