New charge for Ottumwa man convicted of murdering his wife
September 26th, 2023 by Ric Hanson
(Radio Iowa) – Recent court filings show a southeast Iowa man who skipped the jury verdict in his murder trial and went on the run faces another charge after his capture. Sixty-three-year-old Gregory Showalter of Ottumwa was not present in court on Friday when a Wapello County jury returned a guilty verdict for first-degree murder, willful injury, abuse of a corpse, and domestic abuse. Authorities say Showalter murdered his wife, Helen Showalter, in July 2021. Police say Showalter, who was out on bail, cut off his ankle monitor and turned off his phone before leaving his home on Friday. A search commenced and Showalter was found in his home on Saturday morning hiding behind a chair.
Showalter was apprehended and transported to the Wapello County Jail where he is being held without bond. Showalter faces an additional charge of interference with official acts. His sentencing in the murder trial is scheduled for October 16th.