Man charged with murder in wife’s shooting at Wichita park
A man who police say fatally shot his wife at a south Wichita park last week has been charged with murder.
Pierre Ross Washington made his first appearance in Sedgwick County District Court on Monday afternoon on one count of first-degree premeditated murder in connection with the Oct. 28 death of Diana Washington, 26.
Police last week said Washington shot his wife multiple times at O.J. Watson Park, near 31st Street South and McLean, then drove her to a friend’s house in the 1300 block of West 42nd Street South, where he called 911. The house is about two miles away from the park.
He told an emergency dispatcher he shot his wife and that her body was in a van outside the home, police have said. She was pronounced dead at 6:24 p.m. after being taken to a Wichita hospital.
Washington was arrested when officers arrived at the house. Police last week said the couple had been married for several years but had parted recently. Authorities have not said what led to the shooting.
Washington, 29, is due back in court Nov. 17 for his next hearing. He is being held in Sedgwick County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bond.
On Monday, he told District Judge Joe Kisner he planned to hire his own defense attorney but didn’t yet know whom. Asked by the judge whether he understood the allegations that prompted the murder charge, Washington said, “Yes, sir.”
Reach Amy Renee Leiker at 316-268-6644 or aleiker@wichitaeagle.com. Follow her on Twitter: @amyreneeleiker.
This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Man charged with murder in wife’s shooting at Wichita park."