Dibartolo Lashes Out At Hostile Questions Prosecutor Suggests Former Deputy Watched Wife Die

For a second day, accused killer Tom DiBartolo answered a volley of tough and hostile questions about his role in the murder of his wife.

The 43-year-old former sheriff’s deputy repeatedly tried to fend off suggestions Wednesday that he fired the shot that killed Patty DiBartolo last Nov. 2 in Spokane’s Lincoln Park.

By late Wednesday afternoon, most jurors stopped writing in their note pads and watched DiBartolo intently. During six hours of questioning by Deputy Prosecutor Larry Steinmetz, DiBartolo’s demeanor shifted between anger and defensiveness.

Several times during the day there was open hostility between Steinmetz and DiBartolo, causing jurors to look at one another. Steinmetz asked DiBartolo whether the physical evidence introduced so far suggested he not only shot his wife, but wanted to make sure she was dead before he drove her to Sacred Heart Medical Center.

“I resent that remark,” DiBartolo said angrily. “That was a disgusting comment.”

Judge Neal Q. Rielly intervened, telling DiBartolo all he had to do was answer the questions.

Prosecutors claim DiBartolo planned his wife’s murder to collect her insurance money and avoid the cost of a divorce.

DiBartolo claims he and his wife were attacked by two men in Lincoln Park. During a struggle with the gunman, Patty was shot and killed and he was wounded.

More than a dozen times Wednesday, Steinmetz asked DiBartolo why he no longer remembers details about the murder.

“I do not know, sir,” DiBartolo answered repeatedly.

When pressed on the contradictions between his testimony and previous statements by witnesses, DiBartolo said: “I don’t recall making that statement that way.”

Steinmetz then suggested that children avoid answering unpleasant questions by repeatedly saying “I don’t know.”

He asked DiBartolo whether that was what was happening on the witness stand.

DiBartolo replied curtly: “If I remember what happened, you’re going to hear it.”

Later, DiBartolo remembered making several statements to police investigators, prompting Steinmetz to ask sarcastically: “Mr. DiBartolo, is your memory working better now?”

The only time DiBartolo’s answers produced new information was when Steinmetz asked him about his personal finances.

Prosecutors are suggesting that DiBartolo killed his wife to avoid a divorce that might have forced him to sell their home and pay more than $1,000 in monthly child support.

Steinmetz asked DiBartolo whether he had more to gain financially by killing his wife than divorcing her.

DiBartolo denied worrying about the financial implications of a divorce.

, DataTimes