S.I. man who killed wife chokes to death before sentencing - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Staten Island man who killed wife chokes to death before sentencing

A New York City man choked on a chicken bone before he could be sentenced in the beating death of his wife after she refused to pay for premium cable TV.

Thomas Scala died before his court date on July 24, prosecutors said. He was scheduled to be sentenced to five years' probation after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide.

Thee city medical examiner's office said Scala was found choking at his Staten Island home on July 12, the Staten Island Advance reported. He died at a hospital seven days later.

Prosecutors said he struck his wife, Blanche, on the head during an argument on Nov. 26, 2010. Scala was not charged with murder because there was no evidence that he intended to kill her.