Posted on 05/16/2003 6:39:07 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Woman accused of shooting spouse
BY CELINA ALVARADO Times staff writer
A local school nurse is faced with the possibility of life imprisonment after a family dispute allegedly led to her husband's murder at the 3000 block of St. Gerard Wednesday, officials said.
According to reports, the suspect, 30-year-old Bernadette Perusquia, was arrested Wednesday at about 5:51 p.m. after she allegedly confessed to officials that she shot her husband, Juan Perusquia, a 26-year-old security guard.
Officials arriving at the scene reported they found Perusquia's body lying in a hallway of their residence with a single gunshot wound to the right chest area.
According to reports, officials found the victim was conscious and transported him to Mercy Health Center for treatment.
Perusquia filed a police report against his wife alleging that she tried to kill him, officials said.
Bernadette Perusquia was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. She was transported to Webb County jail, where she was held without bond pending magistration.
Officials recovered a .380 caliber pistol with four live rounds and one casing from the kitchen. Authorities also seized the victim's bloody shirt, to be used as evidence.
Several hours after the shooting, officials reported the suspect "died from his injuries."
The subject was declared dead Thursday, at about 1:10 a.m. by Justice of the Peace Oscar Martinez, said Laredo Police Department Public Information Officer Juan Rivera.
Rivera added that an autopsy will be performed in Bexar County.
Bernadette Perusquia was served with a warrant for murder later the same day, at 9:42 a.m.
Officials served Perusquia at the Webb County jail in the 1000 block of Victoria, and updated her aggravated assault charge to first-degree felony murder.
The subject was advised of her Miranda rights in English and held in the custody of officials with a $500,000 bond, as set by Justice of the Peace Oscar Martinez.
(Times staff writer Celina Alvarado can be reached at 728-2582 or by email at celina@lmtonline-.com.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.