LAM

David Lam appeals from the trial court’s judgment following his conviction for second degree murder of his wife. We affirm.

FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

To pay his gambling losses, appellant David Lam stole $20,000 from his wife, Susan. When police arrested him for murdering his wife, he told officers that his shame from stealing from her moved him to kill her and then to kill himself, but he faltered in his resolve to commit suicide. He told police that upon arriving home drunk and despondent from escalating gambling losses, he found Susan sitting on the couch watching television. Approaching her from behind, he removed his necktie, looped it around her neck, and pulled tight. After a brief struggle, Susan died, and appellant buried her body in their backyard.

Susan’s unexplained disappearance worried her family. They called police, who investigated her whereabouts. As suspicion turned toward appellant and foul play, he fled overseas. Two years later, American authorities arrested appellant and returned him to the United States for trial. A jury convicted him of second degree murder. This appeal followed.

DISCUSSION

A. Aiding and Abetting Suicide

Appellant contends…