Feb 8, 2006 12:30 pm US/Central
Woman Gambled Away Neighbor's Life Savings
St. Paul (WCCO) ―
When a lifelong St. Paul resident was making out his will, he hoped to leave the Como Park Zoo some money, because nothing gave him more comfort than visiting the zoo.
Ninety-four-year-old Alvin Buelke's neighbor took that dream away, and she will not spend a day in jail for it.
Last month, a jury convicted Donna Murphy of stealing nearly $200,000 from Beulke, who lived next door. Beulke has no family, so when Murphy offered to become his caregiver, he welcomed the help and put her name on his accounts.
Within months, prosecutors said nearly all of the elderly man's savings were gone. Like most people convicted of this crime, Murphy was not sentenced to jail.
"When you steal lots of money from people who are vulnerable, that should be an automatic prison sentence, but that's not the law," said Susan Gaertner, the Ramsey County Attorney.
Prosecutors said Murphy used Buelke's money to gamble at Mystic Lake Casino, which is not where Buelke wanted his money to go.
Buelke loved the animals at the Como Park Zoo so much, he wanted to leave his entire estate to the zoo. In recent years, health problems have kept him from visiting.
When WCCO-TV's Mary Tan went to Murphy's house, she did not want to say anything at first, but then she opened the door again.
"Let's just say it's not what it appears to be," Murphy said.
"Can you tell us what it does appear to be?" Tan asked.
"There was no maliciousness," Murphy replied.
Murphy will have to pay back the $200,000 and attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings. She will also have to give lectures about gambling and swindling. Prosecutors said if Murphy fails to do that, she will spend six weeks in prison.
Buelke is now living in an assisted care facility.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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