DENVER, Col. - A shotgun blast that shattered the early-morning tranquility of a remote southern Africa national park nearly six years ago, killing a U.S.
hunting enthusiast, resonates again in a Denver courtroom this week as the founder of a Pennsylvania dental franchise goes on trial for allegedly killing his wife and collecting nearly $5 million in insurance proceeds.Federal prosecutors allege Lawrence "Larry" Rudolph, 67, a big game hunter and former head of an international safari club, killed his wife at the end of a 2016 hunting trip in Zambia.
He later cashed in life and accidental death insurance policies in the United States.Rudolph is charged with murder and mail fraud in what prosecutors describe as a premeditated crime.He has maintained his innocence.
Rudolph told Zambian police his wife of 34 years, Bianca, died while he was in the bathroom, suggesting she shot herself while trying to pack a shotgun the couple took on the trip.Prosecutors counter that evidence shows that was impossible because her wounds came from a shot fired from 2-3.5 feet away.