63-YEAR-OLD TELLS JUDGE HE IS NOT GUILTY OF KILLING HIS 74-YEAR-OLD WIFE. BAIL SET AT $5 MILLION.

The 63-year-old man accused of murdering his elderly wife told a judge he is not guilty of the crime. 

John Partain was in a California courtroom on Tuesday for an arraignment, according to CBS8. He entered his plea and bail was set at $5 million. 

On Feb. 25, police received ac call from a suicidal man, later identified as Partain. He confessed to a relative that he murdered his wife, had a weapon and was suicidal, according to the Chula Vista police. Officers went to the home to check on the couple’s welfare and the 63-year old refused to leave. 

Partain also did not let officers inside his home to check on his wife. 

 SWAT and negotiators were called to the scene to try and end the standoff peacefully in the town outside San Diego. 

The suspect made numerous comments that he wanted to die via “suicide by cop” and repeatedly confessed to his wife’s murder, according to police. 

After 12 hours, Partain stopped talking to negotiators. 

The standoff dragged on for 24 hours, until a SWAT team took Partain into custody. He was taken to a local hospital to be checked out and then booked into San Diego County jail. 

When officers went into the home, they found Bille Jean Partain, 74, dead.