Pettis County man charged with murdering wife in front of children

SMITHTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Smithton man is charged with killing his wife and other charges following a Wednesday afternoon incident in Pettis County.

In the probable cause statement, Michael Brown is accused of assaulting and running over his wife in front of their children.

Witnesses told law enforcement on scene that Brown was in his truck and backed into his wife and then left the scene.

According to the statement, Brown told a friend that his was wife was dead and that "God wanted him to do it."

During an interview with investigators, Brown told law enforecment he had attempted to take his children and leave the residence but his wife slapped him. That is when, he told police, that he punched her multiple times, kicked her, and attempted to snap her neck.

Brown referred his wife as a "dark angel" and talked about religion at length to police according to the probable cause statement.

According to the probable cause statement, Brown backed into his wife and may of ran her over but was unsure if he did or ran over a curb. Brown left the scene cause a neighbor began chasing him with a knife according to the statement.

During the investigation, Brown's child told a Child Safe of Central Missouri advocate that "Daddy" hit "Mommy" with the car.

Brown is charged with Murder, armed criminal action, assault, leaving the scene, resisting arrest, and two counts of engangering the welfar of a child.

Brown's bond was denied during a Sept. 18 court hearing.