Texas man sentenced for fatally shooting wife in the back of the head while children were sleeping

BAYTOWN, Texas (TCD) -- A 41-year-old man will spend 55 years in prison after officials found his wife deceased in their home in 2020.

On May 8, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Jason Armster’s sentencing for the shooting death of 36-year-old Charlene Grovell after a jury convicted him of murder. Armster will have to serve at least half his sentence before parole eligibility.

Prosecutors said Armster and Grovell lived with three children, including their 3-year-old, and a 5- and 11-year-old from Grovell’s previous relationship.

According to the district attorney’s office, on March 31, 2020, Armster fatally shot his wife "in the back of the head with a handgun while the children were asleep." Following the shooting, Armster tossed the firearm off the Fredd Hartman Bridge and went back home.

Armster reportedly turned himself in to the Baytown Police Department regarding outstanding traffic tickets, but he allegedly "made suspicious comments that his wife was dead."

Baytown police alerted the Harris County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, and deputies responded to the home, where they discovered the three children inside with their mom’s body.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Armster allegedly assaulted two other women he was with before marrying Grovell. Armster reportedly shared children with the other female victims.

Assistant District Attorney Kelly Marshall said, "She will be remembered for her generosity and her love for her children, while he will be remembered for murdering his wife while his children slept in the next room."

Ogg commented, "While we cannot undo the horrible things he did, we can do our best to get justice for the victims and make sure this man never again hurts anyone else in our community."

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