Cartersville Man To Serve 3 Years in Jail in Wife's Death

A Cartersville man who pleaded guilty in connection with the death of his wife—which authorities say resulted from his earlier murder-suicide attempt—is set to serve three years behind bars.

William Franklin Crabbs, now 63, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter after originally facing a criminal attempt to commit murder charge in the Feb. 11, 2011, incident at the couple's Hilltop Drive home.

Crabbs tried to kill his wife, Susan Alice Miles, and himself, using vehicle exhaust, but a home health worker spotted a hose coming from a bedroom window and called for help, police said at the time.

Miles died March 14, 2011, as a result of the injuries she sustained in the incident, Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Rosemary Greene said in a news release.

Superior Court Judge Scott Smith on Tuesday sentenced Crabbs to 15 years, but ordered he serve only three years in jail. The remaining 12 years would be served on probation, Greene said.  

Crabbs also must pay a $1,000 fine, and as a condition of his probation, "shall not work or volunteer as a caregiver for any person whatsoever," according to the release.

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