By Bob Allen
An arrest affidavit released to the public Jan. 10 accuses former First Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., associate pastor Richard Shahan of cutting and stabbing his wife found murdered in the couple’s home July 23.
Shahan, 53, made an initial court appearance Thursday in Jefferson County, Ala., through closed circuit television. He was arrested Jan. 1 in Nashville, Tenn., while trying to board a flight to Germany for a mission trip that he reportedly had planned for at least a couple of months.
His arrest warrant, issued Dec. 31, alleges that “on or about July 22, 2013, Richard Lee Shahan did intentionally cause the death of another person, Karen Louise Shahan, by stabbing and cutting the victim with an unknown object.”
Shahan’s attorneys say Shahan denies responsibility in his wife’s death and told CBS affiliate WVTM-TV they are hoping to arrange a hearing to ask that he be released on bond in the next few days.
Previous stories:
Pastor charged with murder is on way to Alabama
Pastor murder suspect waives extradition
Interim pastor supports arrested minister
Attorney: Minister wasn’t trying to flee
Baptist minister arrested in wife’s murder
Minister held in wife’s death leaving U.S.
Minister in custody in Ala. murder
Interim pastor consoles grieving church
Doubt not a sin, says pastor to church hit by murder