Butler man charged with killing two in 'a crime of passion'

A Butler County man who told police he fatally shot his wife and her boyfriend was arraigned last night and placed in Butler County Jail without bond, state police said.

Police charged James R. Borchert, 50, of Cherry Valley, with two counts of homicide for the deaths of Esther M. Borchert, 42, and Lonnie R. Schwab, 49, both of Meadville, Crawford County.

One trooper described the situation as "a crime of passion."

Borchert called state police about 12:21 p.m. yesterday and told police he had shot his wife and her boyfriend at Borchert's house, police said.

Police found Schwab's and Esther Borchert's bodies at the home on Borchert Road and arrested Borchert without incident.

The Butler County Coroner's Office referred all questions to state police.