Man sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his ex-wife

May 27, 2016 11:14 am

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

A Providence man received a life-sentence today for murdering his ex-wife back in February of 2013.

49-year-old Christopher James was found guilty of first degree murder by a jury in March after a seven-day trial.

James murdered his ex-wife, 46-year-old Terry Chiodo. He stabbed her on a RIPTA bus shortly after Ms. Chiodo had boarded the bus at her usual stop on her way to work.

During the trial, witnesses testified that they remember seeing Ms. Chiodo and James whispering, possibly arguing, before the fatal stabbing. As the bus came to a stop witnesses saw the defendant punch Ms. Chiodo, and a few moments later, the victim screamed, “He just stabbed me.”

Two passengers, whom testified during the trial, acted quickly and restrained the defendant during the attack. The bus driver called 911.

A third passenger tended to Ms. Chiodo until emergency personnel arrived. She was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

Kilmartin praised the RIPTA bus driver and passengers for their swift reaction on that fateful morning. “While unable to save Terry’s life, these individuals put their own lives at risk to help a stranger by stopping and detaining James and offering Terry comfort and solace until emergency personnel arrived on scene.”

Data extraction of James’ cell phone revealed a text message the defendant sent to the victim the night before the murder in which he texted, “Consider yourself dead you will never see your grandkids grow.”

The defense claimed that James suffered from multiple psychiatric conditions, but Forensic Psychiatrist Dr. Martin Kelly, testified that James did not suffer from any mental condition that diminished his capacity to form the intent to murder.