Ames faces murder for husband’s death
Posted on Sunday, March 16, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/hl/News/23874/
ADAIR COUNTY, Okla. — A second-degree murder charge was filed against the Adair County woman who claims she acted in self-defense when she shot and killed her husband with a 12-gauge shotgun Jan. 18.
Karon Kay Ames, 47, of Route 2 Box 865, Watts, Okla., was also charged with possession of firearms after conviction or during probation.
Conviction of the murder charge could mean from 10 years to life in prison, while conviction of the firearms charge could mean from one to 10 years in prison.
Shannon Otteson, assistant district attorney and felony prosecutor, said Ames’ criminal history will be used in the case.
On Sept. 23, Ames allegedly assaulted Vickie Lee York by kicking her in the head and punching her in the face while Ames’ husband, Ronnie Dean Ames, attempted to stop the beating, according to an affidavit filed Feb. 25 in Adair County District Court.
In June 2000, Karon Bradley, which is one of Ames’ aliases, received a seven-year suspended sentence after she was convicted of possessing methamphetamine and second-degree burglary. She was initially charged with shooting with intent to injure, but that charge was dismissed. Ames ’ other alias is Karon Sherrer.
In the newest case, Ames initially was charged with first-degree manslaughter after she admitted to police that she shot her husband. She will no longer face the manslaughter charge.
“ When we first charged Mrs. Ames, the evidence supported a manslaughter charge, ” Otteson said.
Now, based on the report from Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the evidence fits a murder charge, she said.
“ The OSBI has completed its investigation, ” Otteson said.
Jessica Brown, public information officer for OSBI, said no new information will be released.
Ames reportedly shot her husband once in the chest at about 9: 40 a. m. Jan. 18 during a dispute inside their home.
The couple lived in a rock- and redwood-sided home off Beaver Springs Road about one mile south of West Siloam Springs. They had been married 11 months.
As of Thursday, Ames remained in custody on $ 25, 000 bond.
A preliminary hearing is set for March 20 in Adair County District Court in Stilwell.
An OSBI investigator and a medical examiner were sent subpoenas to appear for the hearing.