Maryland judge heard ‘shocking’ evidence in divorce case hours before his killing, tapes show

By LEA SKENE and MICHAEL KUNZELMAN
Associated Press

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — The Maryland judge who was shot to death in his driveway last Thursday heard testimony from the wife and daughter of his suspected killer during a divorce hearing hours earlier. Judge Andrew Wilkinson called the testimony “shocking” before ruling against Pedro Argote, whose wife was granted a divorce and full custody of their four children. Tapes of the proceeding show Wilkinson issued the ruling after hearing Argote’s relatives testify that he controlled every aspect of their lives, keeping them isolated and subjecting them to various acts of violence in recent years. Police have pointed to the decision as a motive for the shooting. Argote remains at large.