WINFIELD, W.Va. — A Putnam County man was arraigned Wednesday evening on charges that he murdered his wife at their home in August.
Thomas Newton Blevins, 68, of Liberty, faced a magistrate hours after his release from a hospital. He’s been there after police say he tried to take his life the same day in shot his wife. Kim Blevins, 47, was found dead of a gunshot wound on Aug. 4 at the couple’s home on Sulug Road.
Putnam County Sheriff Steve Deweese previously said the couple had been arguing for several days when the shooting occurred.
“It’s a domestic situation, a verbal that started late Friday evening (Aug. 2),” Deweese said.
According to investigators, the verbal continued through the day Saturday, Aug. 3. Blevins shot his wife Sunday morning, Deweese said.
“The victim was basically laying on the couch. The suspect came in and shot her. He went to the bedroom and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest,” Deweese said.
The victim’s 29-year-old son called 911 to report the shooting around 6:30 a.m. Aug. 4.
“It’s not the first time they’ve had a domestic dispute,” said Deweee. “Based on witnesses and statements it was quite frequent they did argue and converse back and forth.”
Blevins was in a wheelchair when he was arraigned Wednesday by a Putnam County Magistrate. He’s being held in the Western Regional Jail without bail.