How? Man Admits To Shooting Wife, But Is Found Not Guilty Of Murder
I thought that if someone admits to doing the crime, it is pretty much an open and closed case.
Clearly, that isn't what happened to a Virginia man who somehow just got away with the murder of his wife.
A jury trial wrapped up Thursday for a Henrico man charged with fatally shooting his wife while their two children slept.
Alvin Banks faced first-degree murder, two counts of child abuse, and gun charges after the November 2016 incident.
Thursday evening Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor confirmed that Alvin Banks was found not guilty on the murder charge. He was found guilty on the charges for unlawful discharge of a firearm inside the home, and two counts of child endangerment.
Alvin’s wife, Katrina, was found shot to death in the basement of the couple’s Orion Court home after her husband Alvin ran to a nearby fire station and told firefighters he’d accidentally shot his wife.
On the second day of the trial, a jury watched an 18-minute video of Henrico Police detectives questioning Alvin Banks about the moments leading up to his wife’s death.
When questioned at the police station, Banks told officers he had gotten into an argument with his wife over phone calls he had made.
Banks admitted to firing three rounds into the ceiling of their split level home describing the shots as a “getaway, stop thing,” or to prevent more arguing.The defendant told detectives he had never put his hands on his wife before, but wish he had assaulted her instead since she would still be alive.
Detectives then thanked Banks for being cooperative with their investigation.However, a detective testified five shell casings were recovered at the scene, including the bullet that killed Katrina.
Police entered the home and “heard a young child screaming in the basement,” an affidavit filed in Henrico Court read.
“[The officer] entered the basement and located a deceased female in the hallway lying face down,” the affidavit continued. “Two children were located inside the residence and removed… by on scene officers.”The defendant is being represented by Joe Morrissey.
Katrina Banks worked as a nurse at Retreat Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond. -(CBS 6)
Wow, I don't know what to believe with this one.