Douglas Prade heads back to jail

Douglas Prade during the murder trial of his wife. (Source: WOIO)

AKRON, OH (WOIO) - Douglas Prade heads back to jail.

Earlier this week, the Ohio Supreme Court declined to hear the State vs. Douglas Prade case, while also denying a motion to extend his Court of Appeals stay.

It was the moment Victoria Sadler and her family had waited more than a year to see: cuffs slapped on Prade's wrists, sending him back to jail to serve a life sentence for killing his ex-wife.

"It has been a roller coaster ride. I wouldn't want anyone else to go through this," said Anthony Fowler, the victim's nephew.

Prade, a former Akron Police captain, was released from prison in March 2014 after serving nearly 15 years for the murder of his ex-wife. This came after Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Judy Hunter overturned his conviction.

At the time of the trial, it came out that there was a bite mark on Dr. Prade's arm that an expert said matched Douglas Prade's bite impression. But last year, Judge Hunter ruled that DNA evidence couldn't prove Prade was actually the biter. Judge Hunter overturned Prade's conviction and released him from prison. But the Supreme Court just decided Judge Hunter overstepped her boundaries, and Prade's conviction stands.

"I'm wasting away since he's been out of jail. I lost 40 pounds. I have post traumatic stress, and I'll be glad when this is over. They say my sister is resting in peace, but we are not," said Veronica Sadler, Dr. Prade's sister.

Dr. Margo Prade was shot to death outside her medical practice the day before Thanksgiving in 1997.

A jury convicted Prade in 1998.

Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh filed a motion requesting Prade be returned to prison.

"The Appellate Court and now the Supreme Court both agree with us that Judge Judy Hunter abused her discretion when she overturned Doug Prade's conviction," said Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. "Doug Prade terrorized his estranged wife, Margo, before killing her shortly before Thanksgiving in 1997. We intend to return Prade to prison, where he belongs."

Prade will be held at the Summit County Jail, awaiting his appeal for a new trial. If he is not granted a new trial, he goes back to prison.

Dr. Prade's family says they will continue to fight to keep their sister's murderer behind bars for good.

"It's hurting the family - in and out, his family, our family. Please decide quickly, and let us go on with our grief," said Edith Shamberger, another sister of Dr. Prade.

Douglas Prade heads back to jail

Prade, a former Akron Police captain, was released from prison in March 2014 after serving nearly 15 years for the murder of his ex-wife. This came after Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Judy Hunter overturned his conviction.

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