PORTLAND, Ore. –
A self-published romantic novelist who once wrote an online essay called “How to Murder Your Husband” was sentenced Monday to life in prison with the possibility of parole for murdering her husband at work in Portland four years ago. .
Nancy Crampton Brophy, 71, was convicted of second-degree murder on May 25 after a seven-week trial. His sentence on Monday includes the possibility of parole after 25 years in prison, KGW-TV reported on Monday.
Prosecutors say Crampton Brophy fatally shot Dan Brophy, 63, inside the now-closed Oregon Culinary Institute, where he worked in 2018, because he could earn money by paying for his life insurance . The case drew national attention because of the essay Crampton Brophy had written years before, but the piece was not allowed as evidence at trial.
Prosecutors told jurors the couple was facing financial difficulties at the time of the murder and claimed she had investigated and bought a “ghost gun” kit online and then bought a Glock 17 pistol in an arms fair.
Crampton Brophy’s attorney argued that the state’s evidence was circumstantial, disputed allegations of financial problems and brought witnesses who testified about the couple’s strong and loving relationship. Crampton Brophy also intervened and said both she and her husband had bought life insurance policies as part of their retirement planning and had a plan to reduce their debt.
He also said his research on ghost weapons was in preparation for a future novel.