Photo: Courtesy West Plains Daily Quill.
The bench trial of 45-year-old Jason House of Caulfield, charged with killing his estranged wife, is underway in Howell County.
The West Plains Daily Quill reports House is charged with first-degree murder and seven other felonies.
In October 2016, the Caulfield man allegedly shot 34-year-old Bobbie Jan McGhee House in the parking lot of the McDonald’s restaurant on Preacher Roe Boulevard in West Plains.
House also reportedly fired several rounds at the victim’s friend, Richard Raines, as he sat in McGhee House’s car. Raines escaped the shooting unharmed. The two allegedly had a romantic interest.
House fled the scene with the couple’s then 11-year-old daughter and was the subject of a chase ending about 9 miles west of West Plains.
He is also charged with three counts of armed criminal action, first-degree domestic assault with serious physical injury, first-degree assault or attempted assault, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk and resisting arrest.
House waived a jury trial, and the case is being heard by 37th Judicial Circuit Judge Steven Privette.
On the opening day of the trial, Raines recounted he was texting McGhee House’s daughter when he heard a shot. He said he looked up and saw McGhee House back away from her estranged husband just before he allegedly shot her in the head from about an arms length.
Raines said House then aimed the gun at his vehicle, firing two shots as he drove away. He said after he got some distance away, he parked and called for help.
House is represented by Springfield attorneys Dee Wampler III and Joseph Passanise.
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