Slain MD Judge Heard 'Shocking' Evidence In Divorce Case: Report

HAGERSTOWN, MD — Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson heard "shocking" testimony about the abuse Pedro Argote inflicted on his wife and children just hours before authorities said Argote traveled to Wilkinson's home and fatally shot him, according to an Associated Press report.

Wilkinson ruled against Argote in the divorce case, granting his wife sole custody of their four children after hearing testimony from her and Argote's adult daughter, who said he controlled every aspect of their lives, keeping them isolated and subjecting them to various acts of violence in recent years.

"The reason I worked up the courage to testify was so that my siblings wouldn't have to go through the mental torment that I currently have," Argote's daughter told the court, according to an audio recording of testimony obtained by the Associated Press.

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After the hearing, authorities said Argote, 49, drove to Wilkinson's Hagerstown home and shot him.

Deputies found Wilkinson in the driveway of his residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, where he later died from his injuries.

Authorities found Argote's 2009 Mercedes GL 450 in Williamsport near the Maryland-West Virginia border on Saturday; however, a weekend manhunt failed to locate him.

During the custody hearing, Argote's adult daughter from a previous relationship said she spent most of her teenage years confined to her bedroom. She said Argote had cameras installed throughout the house and was "watching my every move."

During emotional testimony, she said he would beat her with a belt and other objects — "whatever he had close by."

She also explained that she left home at 18 to escape the abuse and hadn't had contact with her father since.

Meanwhile, Argote's wife described in detail how he rendered her powerless and mistreated their children. She wept while recounting how he would stuff a towel into their crying baby's mouth. The conditions only worsened after he found out she planned to leave him last year, she said.

Following the testimony, Wilkinson concluded that Argote wasn't fit to have custody of his four younger children, ages 12, 11, 5 and 3.

"The manner in which Mr. Argote has isolated these children and mom over the past two years, I think that has gone on throughout the marriage, and it's shocking," the judge said. "I think he is abusive in multiple ways."

Authorities believe Argote is no longer in the Hagerstown area. The U.S. Marshals on Friday offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Argote, who is considered armed and dangerous.

Authorities said Argote has ties to multiple locations outside of Maryland, including Brooklyn and Long Island, New York; Tampa and Clearwater, Florida; Columbus, Indiana; and unknown cities in North Carolina.

Argote is 5'7", 130 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on Argote's whereabouts should contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 or submit tips via the USMS Tips App.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.