MORGANTOWN — Donald Ray Carpenter faces a first-degree murder charge for shooting his wife in Marion County last week.
On Jan. 26, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department charged Donald Ray Carpenter, 50, of Fairmont, with first-degree murder. He faces life in prison if convicted.
He was arraigned in Monongalia County Magistrate Court as arraignments typically happen in the county where the suspect is arrested. Police found Carpenter the day after the shooting with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital.
No bond was set, as only circuit court judges can set one in first-degree murder cases.
According to his criminal complaint: On Jan. 19, police went to Sawmill Road and found a vehicle. Inside was a woman, identified as Trina Carpenter. She had several gunshot wounds to her torso.
Police also found four .40 cartridges on the passenger seat.
People who knew Trina Carpenter and Donald said the two were in the process of getting a divorce.
Video surveillance showed a truck that Donald Carpenter was known to drive parked next to Trina’s vehicle around the time of the shooting.
Deputies used a warrant and went to Donald Carpenter’s parents, where the suspect was known to live. While there, Donald’s brother told deputies that Donald said, “I just shot my wife” and “I just snapped.”
