Cheating husband ‘shot spouse lifeless’ as youngsters referred to as emergency providers begging for assist
Jeri Mains, 44, was a ‘victim of domestic abuse’ and had filed a protective order against Cecil Mains, 47, on Christmas Day but it wasn’t granted as no judges were working then
A mum-of-four who was allegedly murdered by her own husband in front of their children had sought protection from him just days before she was shot dead, it is claimed.
Jeri Mains, 44, was found at her home in Indiana on December 28, three days after she applied for a Christmas Day protective order against her spouse.
Cecil Mains, 47, is said to have repeatedly terrorised his wife and abused her in front of their four kids – aged 19, 17, 14 and 10 – before she filed the order.
However, her plea was never granted by judges, who weren’t working on Christmas when court offices were closed. Her daughter reportedly called 911 to report her death and described in disturbing detail what was happening.
The 10-year-old girl could be heard begging for help, saying that her dad was “shooting my mum,” and that she was “hiding” and to “please help me”. Heartbreakingly, she added: “I can’t live without her,” and that her mum had a restraining order against her dad.
In a separate emergency call, the eldest child said: “My dad just shot my mom twice… He shot her in the house and in the driveway. Jeri was found on the drive and taken to hospital where she later died after being shot twice in the chest, according to authorities.
Court files obtained by New York Post revealed that the victim had apparently caught her husband cheating on her and was planning to leave him. She filed for a protection order after Mains had allegedly assaulted her with kitchen tongs the previous night. He was also said to have threatened to kill her several times.
A few days later he allegedly stormed into the home and took a gun from a safe before opening fire on Jeri. The couple’s eldest son, 19, unsuccessfully tried to stop his dad from attacking his mum, according to the documents.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said: “The facts of this case are devastating. As we move forward with the criminal proceedings, our thoughts remain with Jeri’s four children, who have endured an unthinkable tragedy and are now facing an incredibly difficult journey ahead.”
Local media outlet WRTV reported that Jeri called herself a victim of domestic violence in the petition she filed. It also detailed several earlier incidents, including one on December 10 when Mains apparently punched a computer during an argument and sent a cup of hot chocolate flying over her.
He was also accused of punching his wife in the face during a row in November, leaving her with a nosebleed and bruised face. During another alleged incident at the start of the year, Mains punched out the driver’s side window of her truck, reports the Mirror.
Mains was charged with murder on Tuesday and the couple’s children have been placed under the care of family members. Jeri’s obituary described her as the “most devoted mother” who “loved her children so much that in everything that she did, she put her children’s consideration first.”
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