Police: Man beats wife to death

HOUSTON Houston police spokesman John Cannon said Isaiah Hurts, 54, was charged in the beating death of his wife, Beverly, also 54.

Police said the two had recently separated, and Beverly Hurts had been living in a women's shelter because of recent abuse from her husband. Cannon said he did not know whether police had made previous visits to the apartment where the family lived.

Beverly Hurts agreed to meet with the husband and a pastor on Friday afternoon at the apartment. The pastor was not yet there when she arrived.

Cannon said Isaiah Hurts first threw a pot of boiling water at her and then struck her several times with an aluminum bat, killing her.

The pastor arrived outside for the meeting while the husband and wife were already in the apartment.

Cannon said the husband told the pastor and family members he had killed his wife.

Police were called, and Isaiah Hurts was arrested without incident at the scene. Cannon said he did not know whether he had an attorney.