‘I was scared’: Anderson sentenced to more than 40 years for murder | News, sports, jobs

Melody Ann Anderson reads a statement to the court Monday during her sentencing before Wood County Circuit Judge Robert Waters on charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a deceased human body in the May 2022 death of Robert “Bob” Marshall Throckmorton with whom she together was a relationship at the time. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PAKERSBURG – A Waverly woman has been sentenced to more than 40 years in prison for manslaughter and hiding the body of a man who had reportedly been missing for nearly a year.

Melody Ann Anderson, 50, appeared before Wood County Circuit Judge Robert Waters on Monday to receive sentencing after entering a plea agreement in August pleading guilty to second-degree murder and concealing a deceased human body in Robert’s May 2022 death . “Bob” Marshall Throckmorton with whom she was in a relationship at the time.

Defense attorney Angela Brunicardi-Doss asked the court to take into account Anderson’s mental state at the time of the offense as she was suffering from tense emotional problems.

“She and Mr. Throckmorton had a volatile relationship during which she was the victim of repeated physical abuse for years, and she shared this with multiple family members, including Mr. Throckmorton’s family,” she said. “The abuse she suffered was not her first.

“She had a difficult and traumatic childhood that led to her becoming pregnant at the age of 14, and she was constantly physically abused by partners for years.”

On the day of Throckmorton’s death, the couple had experienced conflict, both verbal and physical, which led to the events that occurred, Brunicardi-Doss said.

“She has acknowledged her actions and taken responsibility.” she said. “She not only took a life, but hid it for a year.

“Both they and the families of Throckmorton will continue to suffer.”

In the original complaint, Anderson said the couple was together around the time of his disappearance. According to the report, Throckmorton became abusive and tried to force himself on her. At some point he left the room and Anderson indicated that she grabbed a gun and hid it under her pillow and shot him in the head when he returned and tried to force himself on her. She dragged the body through the garden and buried it under an open shed the next morning.

Anderson read a statement to the court in which she described being physically and sexually abused by her alcoholic father around the age of seven. She couldn’t wait to leave home and became pregnant at the age of fourteen and had another child at fifteen. when she dropped out of school, she did get her GED. After a few years things changed, her husband had affairs and drank, and became violent and controlling.

After a few years of dating Throckmorton, she said, he showed signs of control, anger issues and PTSD.

“Once again I discovered that I was in an abusive relationship,” she said.

After more than a year in prison, Anderson said, she has had time to think about how she could have handled things better.

‘I should have made better decisions that night’ she said. “I realize that my actions have affected so many people: Bob’s family, my family, friends and others.

“The decisions I made ended Bob’s life, but I can’t change that. Trust me, I wish I could.”

Anderson said the night replayed over and over in her mind and that she really loved Throckmorton. Afterwards, she said she was overwhelmed by the secret she was carrying and turned to alcohol.

“So many times I came so close to a phone call, but I was scared,” said Anderson.

She said she had attempted suicide.

Anderson claimed she didn’t make excuses, but told her story. She now wants to rebuild relationships with her family and help other women in prison.

Waters said he had received several messages of support for Anderson. Brunicardi-Doss said Anderson had no criminal history and a “trusted prisoner” in prison by corrections officers. “I am ready, motivated and empowered to make changes for the better where necessary and advocate for others where necessary,” said Anderson. “I will use what I have learned to help others.”

Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure said the actions in this case called for a 40-year prison sentence, as well as the additional penalty for disposing of a body.

‘We believe that the maximum sentence is appropriate in this case’ he said.

He said Anderson covered up her actions with the shooting, disposed of the body and told Throckmorton’s family that he was leaving and was in Kentucky with another woman. All the while, she continued to use his veteran benefits, including more than 53 transactions.

Around the time of the incident, Anderson was texting family about getting her truck back, Lefebure said. The investigation revealed text messages between the couple where they had broken up and gotten back together and where things were so he could get into the house. She also told him she loved him several times.

Her actions in everything she did after Throckmorton’s death showed a lack of remorse, Lefebure said.

Statements Anderson made to family members indicated she shot him in the back of the head while he slept, which is not what she told the probation office, Lefebure said. According to the medical examiner, the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Throckmorton’s mother, Patricia Schaum, spoke to the court and to Anderson, who only looked at the table where she sat.

“Why did you have to kill him?” she asked.

She described their relationship as good, with her son willing to do a lot for her.

“I’ve never seen a black or blue spot on you.” Schaum said. “When you killed him, you took my life, the lives of my children and my grandchildren.”

She said her son had served in the military overseas and came home only to have someone kill him. She said the couple drank and argued but always made up.

Schaum told Anderson that if there had been abuse, she could have left him, called the police or otherwise escaped.

‘You could have left’ she said. ‘You didn’t have to kill him.

“I want to know why you did it.”

She said the family received none of Throckmorton’s belongings and has little to remember him by. She wanted his Navy photo.

“You got rid of everything he owned,” Schaum said. “Where is it?”

Waters acknowledged there were several unanswered questions and hoped Anderson would address that at some point.

Waters sentenced Anderson to 40 years for second-degree murder with credit for 360 days for time served and one to five years for concealing the body with credit for 185 days for time served. These sentences run consecutively.

Court officials said she could be eligible for parole in at least 11 years, but there would be no guarantee she would receive it.

“Her actions after the shooting are not really consistent with someone who is remorseful and wants to do the right thing.” Waters said. “She covered up the murder, used his VA benefits after his death, used his debit card many times after his death.

“This case calls for the maximum sentence the court can impose.”

Brett Dunlap can be reached at [email protected]