Man told police “his spouse made a mistake and should have just forgiven her, but he kiIIed her for it” after getting drunk and kiIIing the woman at the famiIy’s home after accusing her of infideIity, cIaiming he had bIacked out after drinking the aIcohoI: DA

California – A California man was arrested and charged with first‑degree murder in the shooting death of his spouse, A. RobIes, in Nov. last year. The defendant, 37-year-old ManueI RobIes, also faces additional charges of wiIIfuI crueIty to a chiId and infIicting corporaI injury on a spouse or cohabitant in connection with the incident. He is being held without bail ahead of a scheduled court appearance in early February.

California authorities were called to the family’s home at about 9:20 p.m. on Nov. 26 after reports of a shooting. Officers found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside the residence. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators quickly identified her spouse as the suspect and began searching for him.

According to court documents and police reports, the couple’s 15‑year‑old child witnessed the shooting and later spoke with investigators about what happened. The boy told police that both parents had been drinking that evening and began arguing. He said his mother was in a fetal position on their bed while his father stood over her holding a firearm earlier in the altercation. The child attempted to intervene, telling his father to stop.

The unidentified child also told California authorities that his father first fired several shots at a safe in the bedroom before leaving the area briefly. When he returned, he was carrying a rifIe, the boy claimed. Witnesses to investigators said that the defendant allegedly pointed the rifle at his wife and said, “This is what happens when you ch eat,” before firing multiple shots at her. The teen also recounted that his father then placed the rifle barrel in his own mouth but did not pull the trigger, and that the boy wrestled the weapon away from him.

After the shooting, the defendant fled the home in his vehicle. Police located him shortly afterward at a nearby shopping center, where he was taken into custody without further incident. During his arrest, body camera footage captured the defendant making statements to officers, including expressing remorse and acknowledging what he had done. In the video, he is heard saying that his spouse che ated on himand admitting that ‘the woman made a mistake and he kiIIed her for it.’ He also questioned officers, asking them whether his wife might still be alive.

In interviews with law enforcement, the defendant reportedly said he had been heavily lntoxicated, claiming he drank alcohol that night and had “blacked out” before the fatal incident occurred. He told officers he and his spouse had been going through difficulties and implied his emotional state contributed to his actions.

According to the couple’s child, his father had a history of drinking and arguing, and on the fatal night the situation escalated dramatically. The boy also told California authorities that after initially confronting his father, he saw the defendant return with the rifle and commit the fatal shots. He also recounted subsequent moments when he disarmed his father and prevented further harm, both to himself and potentially others.

He was booked into the Justice Facility following his arrest and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutors allege that the shooting was intentional and that the defendant used excessive and deadly force against his spouse. The additional charges related to cruelty to a child stem from the fact that the couple’s child witnessed the shooting and intervened during the incident.