The woman charged with the fatal shooting of her Irish boyfriend in Florida last week, has been denied bail.
Dubliner Darren Haverty, 39, was allegedly shot and killed in Florida last Tuesday, by his girlfriend Wendy Hanks, 33. The shooting allegedly occurred while they pair were arguing.
Haverty, originally from Greenhills in Dublin, had been living in the U.S. for several years.
Last Thursday Hanks was denied bail and bond when she appeared in a secure metal cage in court over the murder. Officials confirmed the cages are reserved for potentially dangerous inmates.
A statement on the County Sherriff’s office in Osceola said: “Osceola County Sheriff’s detectives have identified the victim killed on Harris Road as Darren William Haverty (DOB 12/16/73). Originally from Ireland, Haverty was currently living in Holopaw.”
On Wednesday August 21, detectives arrested Wendy Hanks and charged her with the first degree murder of Haverty.
The Police report states that she indicated “she and her boyfriend were involved in a verbal and physical altercation”.
“She told deputies he battered her and approached her with a knife when she shot him. Deputies located a male deceased at the scene.”
The suspect told investigators on Wednesday that she shot the Irishman after he assaulted her and threatened her with a knife while camping in eastern Osceola County.
However the police report revealed that autopsy results and evidence found at the scene were ub consistent with her account.
“During the investigation, detectives discovered evidence at the crime scene and during the autopsy that conflicts with Hank’s statements of self defence. Based on this information, Hank was arrested and booked into the Osceola County Jail,” the police report stated.
Hanks appeared in court last Thursday where she was charged with first degree murder. She was denied bail.
The suspect was locked inside a metal cage for the duration of her hearing.
A friend of the family told the Irish Independent they were "still grieving the loss and would need more time before making any comment on the death of their son, Darren".
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