California Man to Face Trial for Helping Wife Kill Self

A judge ordered a Northern California man who says he helped his wife hang herself to stand trial for voluntary manslaughter.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported Wednesday that 65-year-old David Clement was arrested at a Bodega Bay hotel on Jan. 10 after he called 911 to report helping 52-year-old Debra Bales kill herself. Bodega Bay is about 65 miles north of San Francisco.

Over the course of the three days Bales attempted suicide three different times, each time being unsuccessful. On these three times, Clement attempted to smother her using a pillow. When these methods were deemed unproductive, they went and bought a rope. Clement fastened the rope to the tree near their hotel room and tied the knots to assist Bales in her suicide. This method proved successful and when the suicide was completed Clement called 911.

Bales attempted suicide three different times, each time being unsuccessful, over the course of three days, according to police.

Clement attempted to smother Bales using a pillow and when these methods were deemed unproductive, they went and bought a rope, police said. Clement fastened the rope to the tree near their hotel room and tied the knots to assist Bales in her suicide, according to police. The hanging was "successful" and Clement called police.

Clement told investigators that he married longtime friend Bales six years ago so she could access his health insurance plan to continue receiving prescription painkillers to treat chronic pain caused by a hysterectomy surgery nearly 20 years ago. Clement quit his grocery store manager job in October and lost the insurance.