Wife accused of firing fatal shot
Last Updated on 3/20/2010
Published on 1/8/2009
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtwntimes.com
Prosecutors say Keri Pope shot and killed her husband, Joey Pope, in May, 2003, so she could continue a relationship with Christopher Miller, also accused of firing a deadly shot that night.
The new allegations were made Wednesday at a preliminary hearing for Pope, charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder -- the same charges which have been filed against Miller, currently serving a prison sentence for an unrelated crime.
The purpose of the hearing in front of City Judge Robbie O'Donnell was to determine if the state has enough evidence to continue with its case against Pope.
Glen Kufen, the lead investigator in the case, was the only state witness. He said Keri Pope and Miller dated before Keri married Joey and "that relationship continued after she was married."
Pope's attorney, John Hilliard, asked Kufen to give a motive for the murder.
"We can only speculate it was so she could get back with Chris Miller," Kufen responded.
Keri Pope, Kufen said, identified herself as Miller's common-law wife when she went to visit him in prison prior to her arrest.
The state also revealed there were two different guns used in the Pope house that night. One was allegedly used by Miller to shoot the family's dog. The other was reportedly used by Keri Pope to shoot her husband while he was asleep. Kufen said Joey Pope was shot twice.
Kufen said some of the evidence collected during his investigation included statements made by two inmates -- Bruce Richardson and Jody Ward -- who are in the same prison where Miller is currently housed.
Richardson is serving an 18-year sentence for burglary in Horry County. Ward is serving a life sentence for murder.
According to Kufen, both men said they were told by Miller that he and Pope made a plan to kill her husband. When he went to the house to carry out the plan, Miller got scared and, Kufen said, it was Keri Pope who shot Joey.
Miller is the one who shot the dog, Kufen said.
"The case (prosecutors) decided to bring to court is purely a multiple hearsay case. There is not a shred of evidence my client did anything," Pope's attorney, John Hilliard said as he tried to convince O' Donnell to drop the charges against his client.
O'Donnell said because the state has other evidence that was not presented Wednesday, he "cannot rule the case should end at this level."
His ruling means Pope's case can proceed and be presented to a grand jury for possible indictment.
|
I don't understand...wouldn't she have had GSR on her hands and/or clothes 5 years ago? Posted by Confused on 1/13/2009 |
|
YOU CAN HIDE BEHIND LIES FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT THE TRUTH COMES OUT. wHY DIDN'T KERI JUST LEAVE HIM? NOW A CHILD HAS TO GROW UP WITHOUT HER DADDY, AND A FAMILY HAS LOST THEIR SON. Posted by GEORGETOWN GIRL on 1/12/2009 |
|
I knew joey and have meet carie. I think everyone felt she had something to do with his death from the beginning. I dont think joey or anyone desevse to die the way he did.That was the cowards way out all she had to do is devorce him. But now a loving family is without a son and a little girl will only know what people tell her of her dad. Carie didnt only hurt him but many other people. I say three years is long enough she should have to pay the price and go to jail where she belongs. And GOD bless the little girl that has to grow up knowg her dad is gone becouse of her mother.Some people really need to stop and think of their actions. Posted by friend on 1/9/2009 |
