Canton, MS: Canton Man Charged In Ex-Wife's Death

Police: Couple Fought Over Child

CANTON, Miss. --

Police in Canton said a man killed his ex-wife Tuesday after a domestic dispute over their child.
Police were called to the Links Apartments in Canton off Links Drive and Highway 51, where they found the body of a 32-year-old woman, who had been attacked with a knife and beaten with an iron wrench, police said. The woman's ex-husband, Joseph Reith, 32, was arrested and charged with murder, police said.
Canton Police Chief Vicki McNeil said the couple, who have been divorced for eight months, began arguing at Reith's apartment over custody of their 5-year-old child, during which time Reith attacked his ex-wife, killing her, police said. The child was not at the apartment during the attack, police said.
Police said Wednesday that they will not release the woman's name until her family is notified.
Tenants at the apartment complex gathered Tuesday night near the scene. Many were speechless while others were baffled by a brutal crime close to home.
"The Links are nice apartments. These are supposed to be nice. I don't know anything. I'm shocked," said Geneva Alexander, a neighbor.
Police would not say if officers had responded to previous domestic violence calls involving the couple.

Neighbors told 16 WAPT News that there had been a number of disputes in recent weeks. Police said they knew why the woman was in Reith's apartment, but would not release that information.
"It's unreal. What can you do? A baby has lost her mother, over what?" said Yolanda Ellis, a neighbor.
The child was staying with family members Wednesday, police said.
The Links Apartment complex manager declined to comment.
Reith was being held without bond Wednesday at the Madison County Detention Center.