Police say 75-year-old woman admitted shooting her husband

by The Associated Press

Police say 75-year-old woman admitted shooting her husband
» 18 Comments

Story Published: Oct 5, 2008 at 5:50 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 6, 2008 at 11:50 AM CST

By Michelle Leroux

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- A 75-year-old woman from Rogers told police that she was "at her wits' end" when she shot her husband to death as he was sleeping. Myrtle Walter is held without bond in the Benton County jail on a capital murder charge for the slaying of Paul Walter, 74, at their home.

Police said Walter told them that she and her husband had been drinking on Friday night and she had four or five beers. She said her husband wanted to have sex but she did not want to, and she could no longer tolerate the mental abuse.

According to court documents, she said she went and got a loaded gun, returned to the bedroom and shot her husband once, then fired two more times when she saw him move. Rogers police arrested Walter on Saturday and recovered a .357-caliber revolver that was on the bed.

Police says Walter told them that she aimed at her husband's head but did not know where she shot him because the bedroom light was off, according to court documents. She said her husband was asleep, lying face down. She said she is sorry for shooting him but relieved he is gone.

At a hearing on Sunday, a judge ordered Walter held without bond. Walter has lived in Rogers for 45 years and has five children and is a great-grandmother.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 9:56 PM Ex Battered Wife wrote ...

I am so sorry this lady had to go through this but any one out there who has been in this type of relationship, has almost always at some time contemplated murder or suicide as a way out, these abusers give you no hope, and usually the close family doesn't see the extent of the abuse, or they tend to play it down. God Bless you and I'll keep your family in my prayers.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 5:18 PM CALHOUN2 wrote ...

NO THE GUN BY IN OF IT'S SELF DID NOT KILL THE MAN, BUT HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE AS SOME ONE PUTS THEIR HANDS ON YOU AND YOU HAVE TOLD THEM NO, BUT THEY PERSIST? WELL, HE SHOULD HAVE STOPPED. I'M NOT SAYING SHE SHOULD HAVE KILLED HIM, BUT SOME TIMES IT SEEMS ONE IS PUSHED TO A BREAKING POINT.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 1:07 PM kudos to the grandson wrote ...

Mental abuse can be, and often is, worse than physical abuse. This woman had probably endured years of abuse and, at age 75, probably felt that she had no other option of escape. It's not like she's really able to start over at this point in her life. My heart goes out to her for the years of suffering she's undoubtedly endured and to the family for having their dirty laundry aired in public.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 11:08 AM mike wrote ...

The grandson is absolutely correct. I apologize for my earlier snide comment about the trash. We DO all have our own family skeletons and should have some respect for others troubles. We are guilty of judging without knowing all the facts, me included.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 8:36 AM her grandson wrote ...

here is a thought, instead of looking at her when you dont know her and what she has been through, why not look at yourselves and wonder why you think you have to gossip about our family's humiliation when if we all took a look at our own lives what might we find that we didnt want put on last nights news?

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 7:47 AM the keeper wrote ...

I am sorry it came to this but it isnt the guns fault she make a choice and acted on it the gun didn't jump out of its holster and start shooting on it's own if she had wanted to kill him she would have found away to do it even if the gun had not been there. so stop blaming the tool and look at the person using the tool!!!!

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 7:30 AM shaamex wrote ...

I think the love had gone out of the equation long ago.

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:42 PM christopher Winzer wrote ...

What was she thinking my lord! thats crazy that someone would kill the one they love!!!!!!! And guns are not the answer at all. Why fight with the love one when you can just talk about your differences.

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:42 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Running? What guarantees a victim the chance to run? Nice and relaxed in your easy chair, watching the game, turned up loud, half in the bag. Guys, how many of you did I just describe? Be nice to your wives!

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:29 PM CharliAyn wrote ...

If her husband wanted sex and used any form of physical violence, she, in my opinion had a right to defend herself. The article states he had used mental abuse. As an abused woman, I know that can hurt more than physical abuse. The right solution would have been to have left, but with limited options and circumstances, that often, in the mind of the abused, doesn't seem to be viable. An abused person is often made to feel that no one else wants them in their lives. Yhey often feel trapped. Sad.

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:26 PM woman scorned wrote ...

Sometimes you just snap............

Monday, Oct 6 at 11:24 AM David wrote ...

I would rather run from a knife or pan than a gun!

Monday, Oct 6 at 11:13 AM Eric wrote ...

You are not a true ameican if you believe the gun is to blame. Call I-800-Leave the USA. Guns are not the issue. It's our right, live with it. Blaming the gun is like blaming spoons for Rosie O'donnel being fat.

Monday, Oct 6 at 9:26 AM David wrote ...

Thats right Linda blame the gun... if it hadn't been a gun it would have been a knife or poison. Push anyone too far and they will push back. Guns do not kill people... people kill people.

Monday, Oct 6 at 9:26 AM mike wrote ...

Maybe he didn't take the trash out?

Monday, Oct 6 at 9:25 AM Anonymous wrote ...

"Wouldn't have happened without the gun in the house." You're absolutely right. She would have stabbed him. Or hit him over the head with something. Or waited til next time maybe and started poisoning him. Murder is murder, don't blame the weapon.

Monday, Oct 6 at 9:18 AM proselfdefense wrote ...

The handgun had nothing to do with it. There was an angry woman and she wanted revenge against her husband. If it would not have been the gun, she could have used numerous other ways. Think of everything she may have had in her kitchen that could have done the job.

Monday, Oct 6 at 8:56 AM linda wrote ...

Wouldn't have happened without the gun in the house.

Monday, Oct 6 at 7:22 AM carol c wrote ...

I bet he had abused her all her life....my friends mom killed her dad when she was 64...he had abused her all those years, she got sick of it & it pushed her over the edge....

Monday, Oct 6 at 3:28 AM Buzzy wrote ...

O well...R.I.P.

Sunday, Oct 5 at 8:31 PM Chris Bates wrote ...

In all ages today, it is so sad that there is so much violence for the most minor problems. This is why communication from all sides is so important for everyone. It just does not happen enough.

Sunday, Oct 5 at 7:50 PM william carl larkin wrote ...

must have been something he said

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