Seattle-area soldier convicted of manslaughter in shooting death of young wife
03/07/2016 5:48 pm PST
Skylar Nemetz reportedly told police he shot and killed his wife Danielle Nemetz by mistake while cleaning his rifle at their home in Lakewood, Washington in 2014.
Detectives think it's curious that if Skylar shot Danielle by accident, why was he more concerned with cleaning up a crime scene that getting help for his dying wife?
Investigators say the military man flew into a jealous rage after returning from a training mission and discovering a bottle of whiskey at their home, allegedly brought to Danielle by an ex-boyfriend. At that point, the prosecution says Skylar shouldered the weapon, pointed it at the back of Danielle's head, took the gun safety off and pulled the trigger.
In court, Skylar broke down on the stand, insisting the gun went off by accident.
Court documents reveal after shooting his teenage wife in the head, he "threw the AR-15 rifle into the closet and flushed a bottle of cinnamon whiskey down the toilet."
Skylar pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
After seven days of deliberations the jury finds Skylar Nemetz guilty of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm enhancement, which carries a sentencing range of 11.5 to 13.5 years. Sentencing is set for March 25, 20-16.
