Massachusetts Man Who Murdered Second Wife With Hammer Had Previously Been Convicted of Killing First Wife

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — A 68-year-old man with a history of domestic violence has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to murdering his second wife with a hammer, decades after being convicted of killing his first wife.

Second Wife Attacked With Hammer

On April 30, 2024, Kenneth Robson called 911 and admitted to dispatchers that he had hit his wife with a hammer. When police arrived at the family’s home on Federal Street in Springfield, they found 45-year-old Quitiza L. Holmes lying face-down in a pool of blood, suffering from catastrophic head injuries and defensive wounds.

Holmes was rushed to Baystate Medical Center, where she later died on May 16, 2024. A blood-stained hammer with a wooden handle was recovered near the home. Robson was initially charged with armed assault with intent to murder, but once Holmes died, the charges were upgraded to murder.

A Victim Remembered for Her Spirit

Holmes’ family and friends remembered her as vibrant and full of life. Her obituary described her love for crocheting, singing, coloring, working out, and attending church. “Her colorful hairstyles, unique outfits, and playful energy were truly a reflection of her lively spirit,” her loved ones wrote.

Prosecutors said Robson tried to claim his actions were influenced by drugs he had ingested, but authorities never identified a clear motive for the brutal attack.

A Chilling Criminal History

Prosecutors emphasized the shocking parallels to Robson’s past. In 1984, he was convicted of murdering his first wife, Joan Cusson, a crime that devastated her family. Members of Cusson’s family attended nearly every court proceeding in the current case, expressing outrage that Robson had ever been released from prison and allowed to commit violence again.

Prosecutor’s Statement

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni called the murder “a brutal and senseless attack that ended the life of Quitiza Holmes, a woman who should still be with her family and community today.” He thanked the Springfield Police Department and prosecutors for ensuring Robson would spend the rest of his life behind bars.

The sentencing has brought some closure to Holmes’ family but also renewed anger over Robson’s release after his first conviction. For more crime updates and justice news from across Massachusetts, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.