Mo. man gets life for fatally stabbing wife who had order of protection in her pocket

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (TCD) -- A judge has sentenced a man to life behind bars plus 17 years for the fatal stabbing of his wife.

According to a news release from the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office, on Nov. 6, 2018, Kansas City Police responded to Roanoke and Madison to a report of a dead body, where they found the victim, Tabitha Birdsong, stabbed to death with "obvious head injuries." Officials also found an order of protection against her husband in her pocket.

Hours before the victim’s death, witnesses reportedly told police she was with her husband, Gene Birdsong, and he was later seen with blood on his pants. During a search of Gene Birdsong’s room, police found bloody clothing, and he told officials he had been attacked and stabbed.

On Feb. 27, a Jackson County jury convicted Gene Birdsong of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. This week, on April 13, the Prosecutor's Office announced Birdsong was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus an additional 17 years.

At the time of the fatal stabbing, the couple had been married for nearly 10 years, KMBC-TV reports.

MORE:

• Jackson County judge sentences Gene Birdsong to life in prison, plus more - Jackson County Prosecutor's Office
• Kansas City man receives life in prison, plus 17 years, after convicted of killing wife - KMBC
• Man convicted of fatally stabbing wife who was found with order of protection in her pocket, 2/28/2023 - TCD