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SI Man's Desire For Cable TV May Have Killed His Wife
By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 18, 2011
Modified Feb 18, 2011
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 18, 2011
Modified Feb 18, 2011
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A 57-year-old Staten Island man leaving the hospital was arrested yesterday and charged with assault and criminal mischief in regards to a post-Thanksgiving attack on his wife that may have led to her death. On November 26 Thomas Scala came home from the hospital (he apparently has a history of health issues) furious that his wife, Blanche Scala, not only had not visited him but also that she had not paid for him to watch premium cable during his stay. It was not the first time they had fought and investigators believe that the physical altercation between the two may have caused a hematoma in Blanche's brain (which they think Thomas caused in a separate November 19 fight) to burst.
After their fight on the 26th Blanche reportedly packed up her belongings into a cart and tried to leave her husband, but was stopped when Thomas poured rubbing alcohol and hair spray on the clothes and set them on fire. While she was able to put the fire out, she suffered minor burns in the mess which she had checked out at Staten Island University Hospital before heading to a friend's house for the night. She never woke up.
Police had been called to the Scala's home after both of the couple's most recent fights to take domestic incident reports, but both times Blanche refused to press charges. Thomas Scala is scheduled to be arraigned today in Staten Island Criminal Court and further charges against him in the case seem likely.
Tagged
blanche scala
cable tv
domestic assault
HOMICIDE
New Dorp Beach
staten island
thomas scala
Garth Johnston
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