A Massachusetts man will spend the next several decades behind bars for killing his wife – his second such experience with the criminal justice system for essentially the same sort of crime.

On Sept. 22, Kenneth Robson, 68, pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the second degree. The defendant was subsequently sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, according to a press release issued by the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office.

On April 30, 2024, during the early morning hours, Robson called 911, identified himself and told dispatchers to send an ambulance to his family’s residence on Federal Street in Springfield because “he hit his wife with a hammer and she might be dead.”

There, responding officers found Quitiza L. Holmes, 45, lying face-down in a pool of blood, suffering from severe head injuries and several defensive wounds. She was rushed to nearby Baystate Medical Center but succumbed to her injuries on May 16, 2024.

Near the residence, investigators recovered a blood-stained hammer with a wooden handle, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Robson was initially arrested and charged with armed assault with intent to murder – and once Holmes died, his charges were upgraded.

The victim was remembered fondly in her obituary:

Quitiza had a wide range of interests and hobbies that showcased her vibrant personality. She loved crocheting, singing, coloring, puzzles, working out, and attending church. Her colorful hairstyles, unique outfits, and playful energy were truly a reflection of her lively spirit. While some may have perceived her as shy or timid, she was quite outspoken, especially when advocating and standing up for herself. A quality she will be remembered for.

The since-condemned man was said to be voluble.

“During the course of the investigation, Robson made several spontaneous statements to police, claiming he had ingested drugs that were not what he expected, and blaming his actions on their effects,” the prosecutor’s office said in the press release.

Authorities never provided a potential motive for why the defendant engaged in such a brutal act of violence on the night in question. Instead, the prosecutor opted to take note of Robson’s substantially – and shockingly – similar criminal history.

The DA’s office explained, at length:

This was not the first time Robson stood accused of killing his spouse. In 1984, he was convicted of murdering his then-wife Joan Cusson, a crime that left lasting wounds on her family. Members of that family remained deeply engaged throughout this case, with at least one relative attending every court proceeding. They voiced outrage that Robson had been released from prison and allowed the opportunity to commit another violent act, underscoring their enduring grief and frustration.

“This was a brutal and senseless attack that ended the life of Quitiza Holmes, a woman who should still be with her family and community today,” Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said in a statement. “I want to express my deepest condolences to her loved ones, and I thank the Springfield Police Department and our prosecutors for their work in holding this defendant accountable. With today’s sentence, he will spend the remainder of his life in prison and will never again have the opportunity to harm another person.”