Woman Allegedly Shoots Her Estranged Husband After He Showed Up Driving Girlfriend's Car, But She Says It Was An Accident
Carolyn Court allegedly told authorities she only pointed a gun at her husband Ray Court to get him to answer her questions, but had no intention to hurt him.
A Texas woman is facing a murder charge after allegedly gunning down her estranged husband in a fit of anger earlier this week.
Carolyn Court, 68, is facing a felony murder charge after allegedly using a firearm on Jan. 19 to cause life-threatening injuries to Ray Court, Harris County prosecutors claimed in charging documents obtained by Oxygen.com.
Ray Court, 66, had been married to Carolyn for 42 years but sources close to the couple say that the two had recently become estranged, according to local outlet KHOU. Court documents state that on the day of his death, Ray Court had gone to Carolyn’s house to retrieve a number of his belongings and to later have lunch together, Click2Houston reports.
However, Ray Court reportedly arrived that day driving his new girlfriend’s car, which angered his estranged wife; prosecutors allege that Carolyn tried to slap him, but he grabbed her wrist to stop her, according to the outlet.
He then went to the bathroom, at which point Carolyn went to her bedroom and allegedly retrieved a gun, which she cocked and pointed it at him after he got out of the bathroom – demanding that he answer her questions. Carolyn Court – who authorities say admitted to having a bad temper – said that the gun then went off by accident, according to Click2Houston.
Ray Court, who was shot in the abdomen, later died at the hospital.
After posting $150,000 bond and being released from custody on Monday night, Carolyn Court told reporters that the shooting was an “accident,” according to local outlet KTRK. When asked if she felt that she should be facing a murder charge, she responded, “No. Not at all.”
Carolyn Court appeared before a judge on Wednesday, where she was ordered to surrender her passport and wear an ankle monitor while she awaits trial, Click2Houston reports.
Her attorney, Sean McAlister, defended his client after the hearing. “This woman is 68 years old. Up until 72 hours ago, (she) had no run-ins with the law. No criminal history whatsoever, as you guys know, and she’s maintained that this was an accident," he said, according to Click2Houston.
However, charging documents obtained by Oxygen.com allege Carolyn Court did “unlawfully intend to cause serious bodily injury” to her former partner, and caused his death by doing so.
Those who knew Ray Court, who co-owned a gourmet food business with his estranged wife, were shocked by his violent death, KTRK reports.
“I couldn't believe it,” James McNutt, a friend and customer of Ray Court’s, told KTRK. “I knew they were going through a divorce. I thought it wasn't the end of it, they would work a few things out.”