Man goes from hero husband to wife killer

Man goes from hero husband to wife killer
Story Highlights
Michael Ratley, 25, sentenced to life without parole for murdering wife

Prosecutors: Ratley beat wife with hammer four weeks after rescuing her from fire

Family says Ratley was gentle man; attorneys call murder "single, horrible snapshot"

Effie Ratley's family recall her spirit, love for newborn son
By Mallory Simon
CNN


BRYCEVILLE, Florida (CNN) -- Michael Ratley was known as a hero.

In December 2006, Michael Ratley carried his baby and his wife, Effie, from their burning home in Florida. A teary-eyed Ratley said love drove him to save them. A month later, Effie was dead, bludgeoned with a hammer. The man hailed as a hero for saving her was convicted of murdering her. This week a jury said he should spend the rest of his life in prison for the crime. What turned a heroic husband into a hammer-wielding wife killer? full story