Corpus Christi cops charged a 71-year-old woman with manslaughter. They say she shot and killed her own husband.
The woman is Muriel Stewart. Cops found her husband dead inside their home. He lived in the 3500 block of Tiger Lane on the city's Southside.
The Nueces County Medical Examiner named the dead man. He was Paul Stewart. He was 63 years old.
Cops got a call about a shooting. It came in around 10:40 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15. Officers rushed to the home. They found Paul Stewart dead inside.
Cops held Muriel Stewart right there at the scene. Robbery and Homicide detectives came to help. Cops took her to the main police station. They asked her questions there.
After the interview, cops arrested her. They booked her into the City Detention Center. A police officer named Antonio Contreras said the two were married.
Stewart now sits in the Nueces County Jail. Her bail is set at $300,000. That means she can get out if she pays that much money.
Manslaughter is a serious charge in Texas. It can mean 2 to 20 years in prison. That is if a jury finds her guilty.
Court documents show what Stewart told cops. She said she was sleeping on the sofa. She said her husband banged on the door. He wanted to get inside.
She said once he got in, he threw things at her. She said he called her a cheater. That is what the fight was about, court documents say.
Cops have not said what happened next. They have not said what led to the shooting itself. The case is still open. Cops are still digging for facts.
Anyone who knows something can call police. The number is 361-886-2840. That reaches the Criminal Investigations team.
You can also stay anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS. That is 888-8477. Or send a tip online at p3tips.com.
Everyone is presumed innocent until proved otherwise.
