Marion County, OR: Accused man says he didn't know he had shot woman

SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

A man accused of killing his roommate last week told investigators that he didn't know he'd shot the woman, according to documents released Tuesday.

Larry L. Wallace is being held without bail in the Marion County jail on charges of murder and unlawful use of a firearm for allegedly killing Shelli Jo Taylor, 50. They shared the mobile home in the 2800 block of Tide Court NE where the shooting took place.

Wallace, 51, told detectives that he and Taylor were fighting when she grabbed his pistol and pointed it at him, according to a probable-cause statement.

A probable-cause statement is a document that provides legal ground for an arrest.

"(Wallace) stated to detectives he and (Taylor) were grabbing the pistol, it fired and (Taylor) left the residence and the gun fell to the ground, still in the holster," the statement reads.

Wallace said he did not know Taylor was shot, according to the statement.

Detectives later found a pistol in a holster in a purse at the mobile home, the statement reads.

— Stacey Barchenger