Ex-White House Lawyer Michael Farren Convicted Of Wife's Attempted Murder

STAMFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A former White House attorney in both Bush administrations was convicted of attempted murder and other charges Friday, in the beating of his wife at their New Canaan, Connecticut home four years ago.

As WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported, Michael Farren was convicted Friday of all charges stemming from the 2010 attack on Mary Margaret Farren. Prosecutors said two days after she served him with divorce papers, he choked and bashed her head with a giant metal flashlight until she lost consciousness.

Listen to Ex-White House Lawyer Michael Farren Convicted Of Wife's Attempted Murder

A civil court already awarded Ms. Farren $28 million for the damages she suffered at the hands of her now ex-husband.

Michael Farren, who served as deputy White House counsel under President George W. Bush, was not present for the trial. A judge allowed him to be absent after he said he wouldn't be able to handle the stress

But Farren was in court to hear the verdict. He showed no outward reaction, Schneidau reported.

He was in custody Friday night awaiting sentencing on Sept. 11, and faces up to 50 years in prison.

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