Pulaski County woman charged with murder in boyfriend’s death
Madison Stuerman
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Pulaski County woman has been charged with murder after allegedly killing her boyfriend on Friday.
Lea Ann Barba, 42, was charged Friday with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Court documents state deputies were called to a home near Dixon on Friday afternoon for an unresponsive person after a gun was fired.
Barba was detained in a patrol vehicle, and Steven L. Chapman, 66, was found dead inside the home with a gunshot wound to his head.
Investigators said a semi-automatic Ruger SR9 9 mm pistol was found on the kitchen counter. Court documents state that the gun had one round partially in the chamber and one expended cartridge partially ejected but stuck.
Barba allegedly told deputies Chapman was her boyfriend for about three years and that the relationship was not good, according to court documents. Deputies reported that Barba said the victim beat and threatened to kill her.
Court documents state that Barba said the victim would force her into sexual relationships with men for drugs or cash. She allegedly told deputies he would threaten to hurt her if she reported him to law enforcement.
Barba allegedly told deputies that Chapman entered the home, grabbed the handgun from a shelf, and pointed it at her, threatening to kill her. She alleged that Chapman poked her head with the barrel of the gun.
Deputies say Barba pushed Chapman, causing him to stumble back into a chair. She then said she fired the gun, according to court documents. She told deputies she shot him because she was in fear for her life.
Deputies stated that Barba has a history of violence, probation revocations, and does not have a permanent address.
She is being held at the Pulaski County Jail on a $500,000 cash warrant.
As of Monday morning, no court date had been set.