Viola Drath's Murder: One Year Later

Before Aug. 12, 2011 Viola Drath had many titles: mother, grandmother, widow, wife, friend, neighbor, journalist, socialite. But since that day one year ago she has been known more widely as a murder victim.

Police were called to Drath's Georgetown home on Aug. 12 of last year and she was later declared dead. The next day a medical examiner determined that her death —caused by strangulation and blunt force injuries— had been a homicide.

On Aug. 16, with second-degree murder. In March, a grand jury on the charge of first degree murder. 

, Muth told investigators that his marriage to Drath was a "marriage of convenience." He received a monthly stipend from his wife and, according to prosecutors, did not hold a steady job. 

Throughout their marriage, Drath secured several protective orders against Muth, according to and confirmed in D.C. Superior Court records.

On the night Muth was arrested, Drath's family, several of whom live in Georgetown, issued a statement:

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our mother and grandmother, Viola Drath. Her intelligence, independence and grace remained intact to the end."

At each courtroom session since last September, one or more family members has sat solemnly listening to proceedings. One of Drath's daughters and a granddaughter, who have come frequently, share a striking resemblance to the family matriarch, whose perfect, pale complexion, light eyes and straight, thin nose are shown in the images of her that have been made public.

During the first several months of hearings, Muth was held in a DC prison. He was , frequently shouting over his attorneys. He made unusual allegations, including that the government was that his wife's death was a and that he was having .

After a that , Muth was . There he has undergone medical treatment and therapy. Doctors remain optimistic that he will and be able to .

But the have been the same: he is still not competent to stand trial, but he might be eventually. The next competency hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6. 

The murder trial is tentatively scheduled to start in October, but at the most recent hearing Judge Canan suggested two backup dates—Dec. 3 and March 25. Muth's public defenders have .

When Muth was granted permission to represent himself, Drath's family issued another statement, part of which read, "We hope that justice is served.”

A year later is it still not clear what that justice will be or when Drath's family will have it.