Archive photo of Brian Walshe Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
DEDHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Brian Walshe of Cohasset was found guilty of murder in the first degree Monday morning. He was convicted of murdering his wife, Ana Walshe, nearly three years ago. She disappeared on New Year's Day 2023.
The jury began their deliberations on Friday after more than a week of testimony. On Thursday, the defense rested their case without calling any witnesses. Before the trial began, Walshe changed is plea to guilty on the lesser charges of dismembering Ana's body and misleading police.
During the trial, the prosecution argued Walshe murdered Ana after he found out she was having an affair. Meantime, the defense called Ana's death "sudden" and "unexplained," and that Walshe panicked when he found her body. Investigators have never found her body.
"We've seen other cases where we've not had a body, but this is the first one I can remember where we had a first degree conviction," Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey said shortly after the verdict was read in court.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 17.