UPDATE | Woman charged with attempted murder in alleged shooting of estranged husband
Published 11:35 am Monday, March 12, 2018
A woman remains in Cullman County Detention Center on a $75,000 cash bond, accused of breaking into her estranged husband’s home Saturday, shooting him and hitting another woman with a firearm.
Lee Ann Matanane was charged with two counts of attempted murder, first-degree burglary and second-degree assault, according to a Cullman County Sheriff’s Office press release.
Matanane is accused of dressing in all black and parking down the road from the victim’s home Saturday morning.
“The offender forced her way inside the residence and upon entry shot her estranged husband in the upper chest area and struck a female victim in the head with the firearm,” according to the press release.
Both victims fought her off and removed the firearm from her, authorities said. Deputies arrived and placed her under arrest.
“Domestic incidents are among the most dangerous calls our deputies face, I commend the work done by our deputies and investigators in this case” said Sheriff Matt Gentry.
Court records show Lee Ann Matanane filed for divorce from Benito David Matanane in April 2017, citing a “complete incompatibility of temperament.”
In October 2017, Circuit Judge Greg Nicholas issued a restraining order against both parties from contacting each other anywhere, through any means. On March 2, a mediator in the case reported both sides were able to reach a settlement agreement.
Arrest records show Benito Matanane has been charged with third-degree domestic violence/harassment in 2014, which was dismissed, and again in October 2017 which is awaiting adjudication, with District Judge Rusty Turner presiding. Benito Matanane was charged with reckless endangerment in 2018.
Lee Ann Matanane, who was listed as the victim in all three of the above cases, had no previous charges listed, according to available state court records. It wasn’t clear if she had an attorney yet to represent her.