DECATUR, AL—
Friday afternoon, a Morgan County jury found Dr. Andrew Pakhomov guilty of murdering his wife.Pakhomov, a UA Huntsville physics professor, was convicted of killing his wife, Yelena Zakin and dumping her body in the Tennessee River in Decatur. Zakin's body was found in the river bound and strangled on June 1, 2006.
As he left the courthouse on Friday, he maintained his innocence amid a group of reporters.
"I didn't do it, I didn't do it," Dr. Pakhomov said. "I worry about my family and friends. I didn't do it."
"I am telling everyone, never lose hope. Never lose hope. To everyone, I can say, never lose hope," Dr. Pakhomov continued to say.
WHNT NEWS 19 asked Dr. Pakhomov who killed his wife and dumped her body in the Tennessee River.
"I don't know. I have no idea," he replied.
The trial started Monday, and the jury began deliberating Thursday before noon. The jury of seven men and five women reached the guilty verdict just before 2 p.m. on Friday.
Pakhomov now faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for October 15 at 9 a.m.
Yelena Zakin's daughter, Aleksandra, attended the trial, and was a witness for the prosecution. She told us she was very pleased with the outcome.
"Words can't describe how I feel right now," said Zakin. "Justice has been served, and I know my mom would be happy right now for that."
"I know it doesn't bring her back, but at least he's in jail where he belongs," Zakin went on to say. "I couldn't be happier about that right now."
Pakhomov has remained a paid employee of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. However, that could soon change. The University released a statement on Friday afternoon, after the jury returned with the verdict:
"Dr. Pakhomov was put on suspension immediately upon his conviction this afternoon," said Ray Garner, Director of Public Affairs. "Established disciplinary policy and procedures exist at our campus and we are following those procedures to terminate his employment."
A handful of University employees attended the trial, including two professors who taught in the physics department with Dr. Pakhomov. Both said they were pleased with the guilty verdict for their colleague.
"I think it was the right verdict. The jury had plenty of evidence, and the prosecuting attorney gave a great summation at the end," said UA Huntsville physics professor Don Gregory. "There were witnesses who really cinched the case a couple of days ago."
Gregory knew Yelena Zakin.
"My wife and kids, all of us knew her very well, and she was a super lady," said Gregory. I'm very sorry for what happened, but I think justice was done today."
Professor Richard Miller echoed Gregory's sentiments.
