Local News

Wakefield man allegedly shot, killed wife

Posted: 03/28/11 at 10:35 pm

WAKEFIELD, Mass. -- Wakefield police investigated an alleged murder at a home on Lowell Street on Monday morning.

David McCall, 72, was wheeled into court in a wheelchair to face charges that he shot and killed his 69-year-old wife, Elaine, inside their Wakefield home Monday morning.

“There was a disagreement of very difficult proportions that occurred between the two of them,” said Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone.

It was a big fight that led McCall to take out his gun and shoot his wife in the chest.

“It happened so quietly that I wasn’t even aware there was anything happening until I looked out the window and saw all the police cars,” said one neighbor.

The district attorney says there is no history of problems in the home, but this is a case of domestic violence. They said they were called to 493 Lowell Street just after 8 a.m. on Monday. Police say McCall is the one who called 911 to report a murder-suicide.

“He instructed the police on the 911 call to use the back door not the front door because there was going to be a body on the ground. And then indicated that he was going to kill himself,” said prosecutors.

“When the called, Mr. McCall, used the words murder and suicide he was referring to having shot his wife. But apparently he didn’t make good on the suicide,” said Leone.

In the courtroom, bailiffs helped hold the suspect up as prosecutors described finding his wife’s body shot in the chest. The judge ordered that McCall be sent for mental evaluation.

“It’s a very traumatic and troubling time for him at this point in time,” said Michael Kelly, defense attorney.

Wakefield police said that this case is their first homicide in more than a year.

Investigators said they have secured the murder weapon, along with the shells. Investigators said it was an unfortunate incident of domestic violence.

The suspect entered a not guilty plea. He was ordered held without bail.

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