A former middle school teacher from Indiana has been sentenced to prison after admitting he fatally attacked his wife with a hammer before calling 911 and telling emergency dispatchers he was responsible for her death.
According to Marion County court records, Terry Ogle was sentenced on Friday to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the death of his wife, Mary Ogle, 76. The conviction followed a multi-day bench trial held last month.
Defendant Admitted Killing His Wife
Authorities said the fatal incident occurred on January 17, 2025, at the couple’s home in Indianapolis.
According to investigators, Terry Ogle called 911 after the attack and admitted that he had killed his wife.
During the emergency call, he reportedly told the dispatcher, “I did it,” and said she had been on the floor for some time.
When the dispatcher asked whether he wanted to perform CPR, Ogle allegedly replied that it was already too late.
Police found the victim dead at the Home
Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded to the residence and discovered Mary Ogle lying on her back beneath a blanket with a serious head injury.
Emergency medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene.
Investigators also found Terry Ogle suffering from what court records described as an apparent self-inflicted cut to his left wrist. He was transported to a hospital for treatment while remaining in police custody.
Claimed He Believed Wife Was Having an Affair
During interviews with detectives, Ogle reportedly explained that he believed his wife had been unfaithful.
According to investigators, he said he had been struggling with depression and believed Mary Ogle was having an affair.
Police said Ogle admitted that he “lost it,” which prosecutors argued led to the fatal attack.
Texted Daughter After the Killing
Court records state that Ogle also sent a text message to his daughter following the incident.
According to investigators, the message informed her that he was going to jail because he had killed Mary.
The message became part of the evidence reviewed during the criminal case.
Convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter
Prosecutors originally charged Terry Ogle with murder.
However, after hearing the evidence, the judge convicted him of the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter, determining that the killing occurred in the heat of the moment rather than meeting the legal standard required for a murder conviction.
Couple Both Worked in Education
Local reports indicated that both Terry and Mary Ogle spent much of their careers working in education.
Terry Ogle was a former middle school teacher, while Mary Ogle also worked in the education field.
Prison Sentence Imposed
Following the conviction, the court sentenced Terry Ogle to 15 years in prison.
The case concludes the criminal proceedings related to Mary Ogle’s death. Although Ogle initially faced a murder charge, the court ultimately found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter after reviewing the evidence presented during the bench trial.
