Maryland Police Charge Husband For 33-Year-Old Murder Of His Wife

Baltimore County Police charged a man in connection with the 33-year-old murder of his wife.

"Recent developments in the case have uncovered new evidence that further supported that theory, and the case was brought before the Grand Jury on Wednesday, May 1. After hearing the evidence, an indictment was issued and detectives served [John Joseph] Norton with a warrant for his arrest that evening," Baltimore County Police said in a statement on Monday.

Norton is currently being held in Baltimore County Jail ahead of a trial.

The murder occurred in the Baltimore suburb of Catonsville in December 1985 while Karen Ann Norton, 23, was in her home. Her body was discovered with multiple stab wounds after what authorities believed to be an in-home burglary. Authorities were never able to identify a possible suspect in the case.

Over the years, as no evidence turned up of a possible burglar, police began to shift focus towards John Norton, Karen’s husband.

Investigators at one time went back to gather new and re-examine old evidence while re-interviewing witnesses. The new information gathered started pointing to John Norton, who police began to regard as the primary suspect in the case.

Despite evidence of breaking and entering, police suspected it was staged.

Karen and John Norton were newlyweds at the time of her death.