A former professor at Ohio State University will potentially spend the rest of his life in prison after he admitted to killing his wife when he was allegedly targeted in an extortion scheme over his nude photos.
James S. Hill pleaded guilty to murder and cruelty to companion animals during an October 28 hearing, according to court documents obtained by People.
He was sentenced that same day, with the judge announcing he will serve 15 years to life for the murder conviction with the possibility of parole after 15 years. Hill, 77, was also given an additional 12-month sentence for the animal cruelty charge, which will run concurrently with his murder sentence.
Prosecutors dismissed the aggravated murder charge against him as part of his plea deal.
James pleaded guilty nearly one year after he was accused of killing his wife, Mary Hill, at their Upper Arlington, Ohio, home.
On November 9, 2025, police responded to the couple’s home after James called 911 asking for help, according to court documents viewed by Cleveland.com.
Investigators learned that James had sent nude photos to a woman he had been talking to after they met on a dating website, and he allegedly told authorities that the woman threatened to share the images unless he paid her $15,000. It’s not currently clear how long the pair were communicating prior to the alleged extortion attempt.
James then reportedly told investigators that he “could only think of one way out of the situation” and that was by killing Mary, 64, according to documents viewed by 10TV.
The former professor also allegedly told authorities that he stabbed Mary in the chest as he gave her a massage and he apologized to her for the violent attack, according to ABC6.
Officers reported to the scene after James called asking for help, where Mary was ultimately pronounced dead.
Following the attacks, James reportedly logged onto his computer and deleted the nude photos and other documents before he called police.
Authorities said that James also stabbed himself during the incident. He was hospitalized for his injuries before he was taken into custody.
In addition to killing his wife, James also reportedly told police that he attempted to kill his dog during the incident, per WCMH.
It’s not currently clear if the couple had a history of domestic violence or if police had ever been contacted regarding incidents at their home prior to Mary’s murder.
