LOS ANGELES — A 76-year-old man was charged with fatally shooting his wife of more than 50 years at their Bell home.
Former Bell city councilman Danny Lee Harber, 76, faces one count of murder.
Harber pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Harber is charged with fatally shooting Donna Harber, 81, in the early morning hours of September 1, prosecutors said. A friend told KABC that Donna Harber had dementia, and her husband had been “saddened and frustrated” with her mental health.
“He was a straightforward man and he loved his wife and his family. He was always talking about looking forward to the weekend to take his wife places, they used to travel a lot,” Former Bell Mayor Violeta Alvarez told KTLA. “And I know they loved each other a lot.”
Bail is scheduled at $2,000,000. Harber faces a possible maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
