Man Charged in Socialite-Wife's Death Due in Court A German-born man charged with killing his much-older socialite wife inside their northwest Washington home is due in court. A status conference is scheduled for Friday in D.C. Superior Court for Albrecht Muth. Muth is charged in the fatal beating and strangulation of 91-year-old Viola Drath, a German-born socialite and journalist, at their home. He has denied guilt and initially claimed his wife died of a head injury from a fall. Muth also claims to be a general in the Iraqi army, but prosecutors say he's fabricating his military experience. He claimed in November that his wife's death was a "hit" ordered by Iranian agents.