Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Salem, OR: Deputies: Man killed wife then put knife in her hand to claim self-defense

SALEM, OR (KPTV) -
A man is accused of shooting and killing his wife and then putting a knife in her hand to make it look like she tried to attack him first.
Marion County deputies responded to a 911 call in rural south Salem at 12:50 p.m. Monday. Deputies said they found a woman's body at the home on Heckart Lane Southeast.
Investigators said there was a knife in her hand and a gun lying on the floor next to her body.
The woman's estranged husband, David Eaton, 45, called 911. Deputies said he originally claimed his wife came at him with a kitchen knife after an argument about their divorce settlement. He said he shot her in self-defense.
Detectives said Eaton later changed his story and admitted he shot his wife after she backed out of a settlement agreement.
Eaton told investigators after calling 911, he retrieved a knife from a kitchen drawer and placed it in the victim's hand to make it look like she was holding the knife when he shot her.
Eaton also admitted to past incidents where he contemplated killing his wife, according to detectives, including a plan that involved poisoning her.
Eaton was booked into the Marion County Jail and charged with murder.
The 30-year-old victim has not yet been identified. Deputies said they are working to first notify her family in her country of origin, which also has not yet been revealed.

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