Priest killer indicted in wife’s murder at Village Green Apartments complex

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – A man who murdered a priest in New York City in the 1960s was indicted on Thursday on the charge that he murdered his wife in their town of Van Buren apartment nearly one year ago.

68-year-old Robert Burger was arrested in Middletown shortly after the body of Rebecca Dethlefs was discovered in Village Green apartment they shared. An autopsy indicated that her death was caused by blunt-force trauma to the head.

On Thursday, Burger was indicted for murder in the second degree.

If he is convicted, Burger could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Burger is on lifetime parole for a murder he was convicted of in 1964 in New York City, according to Sheriff Walsh.