Husband admits to killing wife on stand
Michael Owens takes the stand on Day 4 of his murder trial
HINDS CO., Miss. (WLBT) - Today, the state called upon the final two witnesses to testify in the trial of a husband accused of killing his wife and then dumping her body in a river.
Hinds County Investigator Lieutenant Steven Sims took the stand for cross examination and Forensics Analyst Hannah Mitchell was the state’s last witness.
Mitchell testified that DNA taken from the bridge over the Big Black River is consistent with the DNA of Michael Owens’ wife, Ebony Owens.
However, the defense pointed out the DNA was not a complete match from all the samples taken.
Before the recess, the defense argued that the state does not have evidence to prove Owens premeditated the murder and burned Ebony’s car.
Judge Faye Peterson ruled a verdict was able to be reached, citing that the state does not have to provide the motive.
The state rests the case.
After that, Owens himself took the stand for the defense and made an emotional confession.
During his testimony, Owens claimed he and his wife were having problems and that they both stepped out on their marriage.
On the night of her death, Owens said he caught her in bed with another man.
He claimed he shot Ebony in self-defense because his wife went to grab her own gun.
“I just, I feared for my life. When I feared for my life, I just grabbed my gun. When I pointed my gun back, then when she turned her head like this, and that’s when I shot her,” Owens said.
Owens said he never planned to kill his wife and that he just snapped in the heat of the moment.
“I remember she went to grab her gun. I was so mad I just shot her - shot her in the head,” Owens said.
Owens added that he regrets what happened to his wife every day.
The jury will return to court on Monday, September 8, and hear closing arguments.
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