The elderly man who had admitted to killing his ailing wife in New Rochelle was charged with second-degree murder Thursday.

Police say 77-year-old Paul Weinstein shot his wife, Helena, in the head Wednesday at a senior complex on Maple Avenue and threatened to kill himself. However, officers who arrived on the scene convinced Weinstein to surrender.

Dr. George Alexopoulos, a geriatric psychiatrist, says Weinstein's actions may fall under the category of mercy killing because the senior was apparently depressed by the thought of sending his ill wife to the nursing home.

Weinstein is being held at Westchester County Jail. He is expected to be back in court Oct. 5.