KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kearney woman arrested late Tuesday night is now facing charges in her husband’s murder.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the 16200 block of Country Ridge Drive, just south of Jesse James Farm Road, at about 10 p.m. that night. Melissa Hoffner-Allen, 48, was arrested when sheriff’s deputies discovered Ricky Allen, 50, deceased at the location. Clay County prosecutors have charged her with second-degree murder and armed criminal activity.
According to a probable cause statement, Hoffner-Allen called the police to report that she had shot her husband in the chest and that he was not breathing. Emergency personnel performed life-saving efforts but pronounced him dead.
Investigators discovered evidence of an incident involving drywall falling on the floor, as well as a spent shell casing at the bottom of a stairway. The shell casing matched rounds discovered in a 9 mm pistol collected at the scene.
According to the court complaint, Hoffner-Allen told detectives that her spouse was upset with her and choked her. She stated that once she went upstairs to retrieve her gun, her husband said, “Shoot me” several times, which she did. When Hoffner-Allen was transported to jail and photographed, a detective noted on the charging papers that she had obvious bruises on both arms.
She declined to provide any further remarks to investigators after consulting with an attorney.
Hoffner-Allen pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on Thursday, accompanied by an attorney. Her bond remains at $250,000. Her next court date is Thursday, August 15.
Source: fox4kc.com