Widow charged in 1980 shooting death
earthage
http://www.kilgorenewsherald.com/news/2006/0502/Front_Page/001.html
Widow charged in 1980 shooting death
Ranger says Wanda Gough admitted lying about self-defense
By LESTER MURRAY
Kilgore News Herald
A shooting here 26 years ago left a man dead in his bed. Yesterday his
widow turned herself into Greg County authorities and was charged with
murder.
John Gough was 27 years old when he was shot and killed by his wife
Wanda Gough on Oct. 27, 1980. The shooting was investigated by the
Kilgore Police Department.
Fred Gough, the victim's brother, said the case was investigated in
1980 by thenPolice Chief John Bradley and Assistant Chief Marvin
Avants.
According to a complaint filed last Tuesday, April 26, by Texas Ranger
John Martin, Wanda Gough claimed self defense at the time of the
shooting.
Martin goes on in his complaint to say that during a non-custodial
interview he conducted on March 29, Wanda Gough admitted to shooting
John Gough while he was asleep in bed. She admitted fabricating
statements about killing her husband in self defense.
Capt. Ken Hartley, Gregg County Sheriff 's Department spokesman, said
Wanda Sue Gough surrendered herself to the Gregg County Sheriff 's
Department at 10:20 a.m. yesterday. "Gough, who is now 53 and residing
in Raleigh, NC, was arraigned by Justice of the Peace B. H. Jameson and
given a $20,000 bond," said Hartley.
Fred Gough said Bill Jennings, Gregg County District Attorney, told him
there would be no probation in this case and that Wanda Gough had to
answer for what she had done.
"Our family just wants to see justice done after all these years," said
Fred. "know my brother was not considered saint, but the right thing
needs to be done."
Fred Gough said during the original autopsy it was missed that John was
initially shot in the back. "I believe it could have been over a life
insurance policy that had just been taken out on John during that
period," said Fred.
Fred Gough said he owes this arrest to Chief Ronnie Moore, Kilgore
police chief, who listened to him and turned the case over the Texas
Rangers approximately eight months ago.
Moore could not be reached for comment and Jennings said he had "no
comment" on the case at this time.
earthage
Garner woman confesses to 1980 Texas murder
5/4/2006 10:06 AM
By: Associated Press
(KILGORE, Texas) - A woman brought closure to a 1980 East Texas murder
case when she confessed to fatally shooting her sleeping husband.
Wanda Gough, 52, surrendered to Gregg County sheriff's deputies Monday.
She's free on $20,000 bail.
The case involves the killing of 27-year-old John Gough.
Kilgore police began reinvestigating in 2003, at the urging of
relatives of the victim, and eventually passed it on to Texas Rangers.
Authorities wouldn't comment on a possible motive.
Wanda Gough on October 27th of 1980 called police to say drug dealers
had killed her husband. She later claimed she killed her spouse in
self-defense.
Police arrested Gough, but prosecutors dropped the case due to lack of
evidence.
Texas Rangers found Gough in Garner where she worked as a cabinet
installer.