Crime

Man Confesses To Wife’s Murder

ST. THOMAS -- A man who is being held on suspicion of killing his wife almost two years ago has confessed to the crime, the Department of Justice announced this morning. John James Natta, 57, of Estate Mandahl has pleaded guilty to the Jan. 23, 2015, murder of his wife, 54- year-old Merle Natta. Mr. Natta faced one count each of first-degree murder, using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a first-degree murder, second-degree murder, using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a second-degree murder, first-degree assault (domestic violence), using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a first-degree assault, third-degree assault, using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a third-degree assault, and first-degree arson in connection with the incident. Accepting the terms of a closed plea agreement proffered by Attorney General Claude Earl Walker, Natta appeared in court on Thursday for a change-of-plea hearing and stood before V.I. Superior Court Judge Kathle...