Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Life for Murdering His Wife
LANCASTER COUNTY, PA — A Pennsylvania man will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to the brutal murder and sexual assault of his wife, 49-year-old Jami Harrison. The attack took place in their Manheim home on February 5, 2024, and was described by authorities and family as a devastating act of domestic violence.
On Wednesday, Lancaster County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Conrad sentenced 49-year-old Matthew Scott Harrison to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional five to ten years. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and strangulation as part of a plea deal. Charges of second-degree murder and aggravated indecent assault were dropped in exchange.
The horrific crime came to light when Jami Harrison’s 11-year-old daughter discovered her mother’s body and called 911. The girl told dispatchers that Harrison was “really mean and hurts” her mother — a tragic statement that highlighted a pattern of domestic abuse, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.
During sentencing, one of Jami Harrison’s daughters delivered a powerful victim impact statement, turning directly to Matthew Harrison and calling him “a coward.” She described the emotional devastation he caused, noting how her siblings had once hoped he could be a father figure — only to learn he was controlling, violent, and abusive.
Assistant District Attorneys Fritz Haverstick and Jennifer Ponessa, who prosecuted the case, presented evidence of nearly 120 abusive text messages Harrison sent in the days leading up to the murder. The messages, described as “vulgar and degrading,” included disturbing threats such as:
- “You’re not getting away with this.”
- “If I’m going down, you’re coming with me.”
- “It’s till death do us part.”
He referred to Jami as a “whore” and told her she deserved “misery and much much pain.” The tone of the texts revealed an escalating rage, culminating in the fatal attack.
Evidence presented in court showed that Harrison left their home and stayed in a nearby hotel before the murder. On February 5, he told Jami via text that he needed to “grab things from home.” He later confessed to sexually assaulting and strangling her in their bedroom — then left her body for her daughter to find.
Additional messages further highlighted Harrison’s deteriorating mental state. On February 7, he messaged a co-worker saying, “I won’t be back,” and “The demon in me broke free.” He also allegedly texted his son days before the murder, writing, “If I kill her by now I’m cool, son,” and followed up with, “Ever since what happened to you… I’ve been having murder on my brain.”
In a post-arrest interview, Harrison told detectives he believed Jami “wanted him to kill her,” claiming he had “set her free” — a statement prosecutors described as both delusional and self-justifying.
Judge Conrad condemned the crime in the strongest terms, agreeing with the victim’s daughter that Harrison’s actions represented “one of the most cowardly acts a man can do.” In addition to the life sentence, Harrison was ordered to pay $6,500 in restitution.
This case adds to a grim list of domestic violence tragedies where abusers turn deadly. Advocates stress the importance of recognizing warning signs and urge victims to seek help through trusted services.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for confidential support.
