Elderly San Pedro Man Pleads Guilty To Murdering Wife

PALOS VERDES, CA – An elderly San Pedro man was sentenced Tuesday to 19 years to life in state prison for killing his spouse nearly three years ago, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

George Matsumoto, 77, pleaded guilty on Nov. 1 to one count of second-degree murder; the defendant also admitted an allegation that he personally used a firearm during the commission of the crime, the District Attorney's Office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kelley of the Victim Impact Program, who prosecuted the case, said on Jan. 14, 2015, a family member contacted police and asked for a welfare check for Mary Matsumoto, 72, who had not been heard from for several days.

When authorities arrived at the home, they discovered Mary Matsumoto in a bed with three gunshot wounds to her head, the prosecutor said.

The defendant also was found in the home, but was unresponsive, the prosecutor added. Matsumoto was then taken into custody and charged in connection with his wife's death.

According to the prosecutor, Matsumoto believed his wife was having an affair, however there was no evidence to indicate she was cheating on her husband.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department, Harbor Division.

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