Beverly Man Found Guilty In Wife's Killing

BEVERLY, MA -- A Salem Superior Court jury found Alex Scherer, 48, of Beverly, guilty of murder Wednesday. Scherer will be sentenced to life in prison but could be eligible for parole in 15 to 25 years. The jury deliberated Wednesday morning following closing argument on Tuesday.

"The life of a vibrant, loving woman and mother was taken much too soon and no verdict can change that," Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett said. "It is my hope that everyone who loved Edie will find some peace knowing that the man responsible is being held accountable for his actions."

Scherer will be sentenced on Feb. 26 at 2 pm. Second degree murder is punishable by a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 15 to 25 years.

Attorneys for Scherer never disputed that he killed Edith "Edie" Black-Scherer, 45, but instead mounted an insanity defense in the trial, which concluded after more than four days of testimony.

Black-Scherer was taken to Beverly Hospital in critical condition on Nov. 16, 2015 and died of her injuries several days later. Last week jurors heard a recording an interview with police in which Scherer said "I strangled her, I think."

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