Wife who died after lingering on life support leads to murder charge

Eugene A. Shade II, 34, of North Adams, MA, was charged with murder yesterday after the wife he allegedly strangled died at the local hospital Wednesday morning. He plead not guilty to murder in Northern Berkshire District Court On July 22, Eugene Shade strangled his wife, 22 year old Julie, and was charged with attempted murder, domestic assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a knife) the next day.

The murder happened after an argument where he snapped after discussing separation with his wife. Shade allegedly strangled his wife with a pillow and his hands, then tried to place a knife to her throat, but could’t go through it. He called 911 turned himself in, and let the police videotape him.

Julie Shade's father, James E. Burdick of North Adams, said her mother and grandmother were with her when she died, sometime after midnight.

"We're at a standstill right now," Burdick said. "I have two grandchildren who have no parents, and I'm going to bury a murdered daughter. I'm holding it together with toothpicks right now. I can't tell you how much crying I've done."

He said his daughter had been on life support since July 22 and survived surgery for a collapsed lung on Saturday.

"Every day she kept breathing was a miracle in itself," he said. "She fought with everything she had. She just did not quit at all, but there was only so much she could take."

Burdick and other members of Julie Shade’s family will set up a trust fund for their two daughters, ages 1 and 3. Funeral arrangements was postponed pending the autopsy, which revealed a "preliminary cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest, secondary to strangulation," Judge Michael J. Ripps ordered Shade held without bail and continued the case until September 8. Thew daughters are in the custody of the Department of Social Services.