‘I was scared’: Anderson sentenced to more than 40 years for murder
Melody Ann Anderson reads a statement to the court Monday during her sentencing before Wood County Circuit Judge Robert Waters on charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a deceased human body in the May 2022 death of Robert “Bob” Marshall Throckmorton with whom she was in a relationship at the time. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
PARKERSBURG — A Waverly woman was sentenced to over 40 years for second-degree murder and concealing the body of a man who had been reportedly missing for almost a year. Melody Ann Anderson, 50, appeared before Wood County Circuit Judge Robert Waters Monday to receive sentencing after entering a plea agreement in August where she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and concealment of a deceased human body in the May 2022 death of Robert “Bob” Marshall Throckmorton with whom she was in a relationship at the time. Defense attorney Angela Brunicardi-Doss asked the court to consider Anderson’s mental state at the time of the offense as she was suffering from strained emotional distress. “She and Mr. Throckmorton had been in a volatile relationship where she was the victim of repeated physical abuse for years, and she shared this with multiple family members, including Mr. Throckmorton’s family,” she said. “The abuse she suffered was not her first. “She had a difficult and traumatic childhood that led her to becoming pregnant at age 14, and she was continually physically abused by partners for years.” On the day of Throckmorton’s death, the couple had been experiencing conflict, both verbal and physical, which led to the events that happened, Brunicardi-Doss said. “She has acknowledged and taken responsibility for her actions,” she said. “Not only did she take a life, but she hid it for a year. “Both her and Throckmorton’s families will continue to suffer.” In the original criminal complaint, Anderson said the couple were together around the time of his disappearance. The report stated Throckmorton became abusive and tried to force himself on her. At one point, he left the room and Anderson indicated she retrieved a gun and hid it under her pillow and shot him in the head when he returned and tried to force himself on her. She dragged the body through the yard and buried it under an open-sided shed the next morning. Anderson read a statement to the court where she described being physically and sexually abused by her alcoholic father at around the age of 7. She could not wait to leave home and became pregnant at the age of 14 and had another child at 15. Although she dropped out of school, she did get her GED. After a few years, things changed, her husband was having affairs and drinking and became violent and controlling. After a couple of years of dating Throckmorton, she said, he was showing signs of being controlling, anger issues and PTSD. “Once again I found I was in an abusive relationship,” she said. After more than a year in jail, Anderson said, she has had time to reflect on how she could have handled things better. “I should have made better decisions that night,” she said. “I realize my actions affected so many people, Bob’s family, my family, friends and others. “The decisions I made ended Bob’s life, but I can’t change that. Believe me, I wish I could.” Anderson said the night replays over and over in her mind and she truly loved Throckmorton. Afterwards, she said she was overwhelmed by the secret she was carrying and turned to alcohol. “So many times I came so close to making a call, but I was scared,” Anderson said. She said she had attempted suicide. Anderson claimed she wasn’t making excuses, but giving her story. She wants to now rebuild the relationships with her family and help other women in prison. Waters said he received several letters of support for Anderson. Brunicardi-Doss said Anderson did not have a criminal history and has become a “trusted inmate” in jail by corrections officials. “I am ready, motivated and empowered to make changes for the better where needed and advocate for others where needed,” Anderson said. “I will use what I have learned to help others.” Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure said the acts in this case demanded a 40-year sentence as well as the additional sentence for disposing of a body. “We feel the maximum sentence is appropriate in this case,” he said. He talked about Anderson covering up her actions with the shooting, disposing of the body and telling Throckmorton’s family he left and was in Kentucky with another woman. All that time, she was continuing to use his veterans benefits, including over 53 transactions. Around the time of the incident, Anderson texted with family about getting her truck back, Lefebure said. The investigation showed texts between the couple where they had broken up and gotten back together and where things were at so he could get in the house. She also told him she loved him at various times. Her actions in everything she did after Throckmorton’s death showed a lack of remorse, Lefebure said. Statements Anderson made to family members indicated she shot him in the back of the head while he was sleeping which is not what she told the probation office, Lefebure said. The medical examiner reported the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Throckmorton’s mother, Patricia Schaum, spoke to the court and to Anderson who just looked down at the table where she was sitting. “Why did you have to kill him?” she asked. She described their relationship as a good one where her son was willing to do a lot for her. “I have never seen a black or blue mark on you,” Schaum said. “When you killed him, you took my life, my kids’ and my grandkids’ lives.” She talked about her son serving in the military abroad and only to come home and have someone kill him. She said the couple drank and argued, but always made up. Schaum told Anderson if there was abuse happening, she could have left him, called the cops or gotten out another way. “You could’ve left,” she said. “You didn’t have to kill him. “I want to know why you did it.” She said the family received none of Throckmorton’s belongings and has very little to remember him by. She wanted his Marine service photo. “You got rid of everything he owned,” Schaum said. “Where is it?” Waters acknowledged there were several unanswered questions and hoped Anderson would remedy that at some point. Waters sentenced Anderson to 40 years on the second-degree murder charge with a credit of 360 days for time served and one to five years for the concealment of the body with a credit of 185 days credit for time served. Those sentences will run consecutively. Court officials said she could be eligible for parole in a minimum of 11 years, but there would be no guarantee that she would receive it. “Her actions after the shooting are not really consistent with someone who is remorseful and wants to do the right thing,” Waters said. “She covered up the killing, used his VA benefits after his death, used his debit card repeatedly many times after his death. “This case requires the maximum sentence that the court can give.” Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com