WESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — A Lewis County man’s wife and his girlfriend conspired to shoot him, and then the wife did, a state trooper has alleged.
The man was hospitalized at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries following the February shooting but was eventually released, according to State Police.
Rebecca Ann Donaldson, 34, of Weston, the alleged victim’s wife, was charged recently with malicious or unlawful assault, use or presentation of a firearm during commission of a felony, conspiracy and attempt to commit a capital felony.
Leslie Moats, 42, of Roanoke, the alleged victim’s girlfriend, was charged recently with conspiracy and attempt to commit a capital felony.
Mrs. Donaldson was released on a $5,000 signature bond; Moats was released on a $150,000 10/90 bond.
The alleged victim was shot Feb. 25. Senior Trooper E.W. Clark, Cpl. J.O. Hensley and Lewis Deputy M. Ayoob responded to the call.
A cellphone recording indicated the alleged victim and two suspects — in a consensual relationship since May 2022 — had argued; the alleged victim had left the area; and Mrs. Donaldson showed Moats a .38 Special revolver, Clark alleged.
“Mrs. Donaldson asked Ms. Moats, ‘Want me to?’ At which time Ms. Moats replies, ‘It depends on if he comes back in here, you’re not capable,’” Clark alleged.
Mrs. Donaldson then asked Ms. Moats if she was capable, and Ms. Moats said she was, according to the complaint.
Mrs. Donaldson then hid the gun in the bedroom and told Moats, “It needs done today, right now, this morning,” the complaint alleges.
The alleged victim returned, and their arguing resumed, touching on their marital issues and other issues, according to Clark.
Mrs. Donaldson went to the bedroom; her husband followed her; and Mrs. Donaldson got the gun and shot him twice, once in the chest and once in the shoulder, the complaint alleges.
According to Clark, Moats and Mrs. Donaldson had been exchanging text messages as early as Aug. 4, 2022, “speaking about coming down to a self-defense situation and never going to be OK until he’s no longer living.”
You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login.
You'd think you'd know what your wife was capable of. She probably warned this man for years that this would happen if he ever stepped out. Is it really so hard to control yourself?
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
Post a comment as Anonymous Commenter
Report
Watch this discussion.
(1) comment
You'd think you'd know what your wife was capable of. She probably warned this man for years that this would happen if he ever stepped out. Is it really so hard to control yourself?
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.