Pennsylvania Man Accused of Fatally Striking Wife Amid Argument Over Cat's Vet Bill
Dec 08, 2023, 11:00 AM
A tragic incident in Lower Pottsgrove Township, Pennsylvania, has left a community in shock as an 84-year-old man, Barton Seltmann, stands accused of fatally striking his wife, Margaret Seltmann, 85, during a heated argument over money allocated for their cat's veterinary care.
The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office issued a press release detailing the disturbing events that unfolded in the Seltmann household. On Tuesday at 2:26 p.m., police responded to a 911 call made by Barton Seltmann, leading them to the couple's residence.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a harrowing scene. Barton Seltmann was found on the back porch of their home, his hands, face, and clothing smeared with blood. Tragically, inside the residence, Margaret Seltmann was discovered, described by officials as "obviously deceased."
An investigation revealed the shocking turn of events that transpired during the argument. The couple, locked in a dispute over financial matters related to their cat's veterinary expenses, saw tensions escalate. During this heated exchange, Barton Seltmann allegedly struck his wife multiple times in the head while she lay on the kitchen floor.
The Montgomery County Coroner's Office determined the cause of Margaret Seltmann's death as blunt force injuries to the head, classifying it as a homicide.
Barton Seltmann now faces serious charges, including first-degree murder and third-degree murder. He is currently in custody without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
The investigation uncovered a small kitchen knife and shards of glass from a candle jar beneath the victim's body, shedding light on the tragic and violent nature of the incident.
Remarkably, their beloved cat, a source of the initial disagreement, is now being cared for by a family member, as confirmed by the DA's Office in a Facebook comment.
The case has taken a deeply troubling turn as relatives of the accused reported concerns about Barton Seltmann's mental state in the weeks preceding the fatal confrontation. They revealed that Margaret had expressed worries that her husband was suffering from dementia.
"In the last five or six weeks, Margaret said he was suffering from dementia, he wasn't remembering things. Like if he went somewhere, he didn't remember where he was at and things, and she was concerned about it," shared Barton's sister-in-law, Sandy Seltmann.
Barton's brother, Ron Seltmann, described the couple as happy, with a marriage spanning over 30 years. However, the argument took a violent turn when Margaret allegedly brandished a knife and threatened to kill her husband. According to Barton's account to investigators, he reacted by pushing a chair towards his wife, causing her to fall and hit her head on the floor. Subsequently, he reportedly punched her and struck her head with a candleholder.
Tragically, during the altercation, Margaret allegedly uttered the chilling words, "You're killing me," before, as the probable cause affidavit states, she "went to sleep."
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of conflict resolution and mental health awareness within families, as a simple argument escalated into a devastating tragedy that will forever impact the lives of those involved.
The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office issued a press release detailing the disturbing events that unfolded in the Seltmann household. On Tuesday at 2:26 p.m., police responded to a 911 call made by Barton Seltmann, leading them to the couple's residence.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a harrowing scene. Barton Seltmann was found on the back porch of their home, his hands, face, and clothing smeared with blood. Tragically, inside the residence, Margaret Seltmann was discovered, described by officials as "obviously deceased."
An investigation revealed the shocking turn of events that transpired during the argument. The couple, locked in a dispute over financial matters related to their cat's veterinary expenses, saw tensions escalate. During this heated exchange, Barton Seltmann allegedly struck his wife multiple times in the head while she lay on the kitchen floor.
The Montgomery County Coroner's Office determined the cause of Margaret Seltmann's death as blunt force injuries to the head, classifying it as a homicide.
Barton Seltmann now faces serious charges, including first-degree murder and third-degree murder. He is currently in custody without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
The investigation uncovered a small kitchen knife and shards of glass from a candle jar beneath the victim's body, shedding light on the tragic and violent nature of the incident.
Remarkably, their beloved cat, a source of the initial disagreement, is now being cared for by a family member, as confirmed by the DA's Office in a Facebook comment.
The case has taken a deeply troubling turn as relatives of the accused reported concerns about Barton Seltmann's mental state in the weeks preceding the fatal confrontation. They revealed that Margaret had expressed worries that her husband was suffering from dementia.
"In the last five or six weeks, Margaret said he was suffering from dementia, he wasn't remembering things. Like if he went somewhere, he didn't remember where he was at and things, and she was concerned about it," shared Barton's sister-in-law, Sandy Seltmann.
Barton's brother, Ron Seltmann, described the couple as happy, with a marriage spanning over 30 years. However, the argument took a violent turn when Margaret allegedly brandished a knife and threatened to kill her husband. According to Barton's account to investigators, he reacted by pushing a chair towards his wife, causing her to fall and hit her head on the floor. Subsequently, he reportedly punched her and struck her head with a candleholder.
Tragically, during the altercation, Margaret allegedly uttered the chilling words, "You're killing me," before, as the probable cause affidavit states, she "went to sleep."
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of conflict resolution and mental health awareness within families, as a simple argument escalated into a devastating tragedy that will forever impact the lives of those involved.
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com