Jerry Lee Barker, 76, of Rusk, Texas, was found dead in his home on February 26, 2014, sitting in a chair with a fatal gunshot wound to the abdomen. A Ruger 357 revolver was recovered at the scene; the autopsy reported the trigger was pulled from within three feet and that Jerry was reportedly asleep when shot.

Rebecca Barker called 911 and admitted to shooting him, later changing her story several times during the prosecution. The case record notes Rebecca had previously shot her first husband, John Osborne, in 1996; he survived that attack. At trial the prosecution argued there were no signs of abuse by Jerry, described Rebecca’s conduct as deliberate, and the jury deliberated about 30 minutes before returning a life sentence.

Jerry had been a long-haul trucker and later operated a general store with Rebecca. The killing devastated his family and community. Did anyone who knew Jerry or the Barkers notice warning signs in the years before 2014?