KANSAS CITY, Mo. — UPDATE 4:20 PM 6/18/2018: A Kansas City, Missouri man is facing charges after he allegedly beat a woman to death and injured another in an argument over cigarettes.
James E. Reed, 55, is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree domestic assault.
KCPD said officers were called to a disturbance in the 5200 block of Franklin Avenue just after 9:30 p.m. When they got there, they saw Reed walking away from the residence to which they’d been called.
According to court documents, Reed ignored requests from officers, so police used a stun gun and took him into custody.
Officers found the first victim on the front porch with life-threatening injuries. The second victim was found inside with serious injuries.
Both women were taken to the hospital, where the first victim was pronounced dead.
She has been identified as 58-year-old Jamie L. Abernathy of Kansas City, Missouri.
A witness told police that Reed started beating the woman after she accused him of taking her cigarettes.
According to court documents, when Reed was arrested he made several spontaneous statements, including "She shouldn't have put her hands on me" and "You don't want to push my buttons or else this is going to happen."
Prosecutors have requested a $250,000 bond.
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