Tulsa, Oklahoma

From Oklahoma City’s ChannelOklahoma.com of April 29, 2006

Police: Tulsa Woman Justified In Fatally Shooting Boyfriend

Police here believe a woman fatally shot her boyfriend in self-defense but they've forwarded the findings of their investigation to Tulsa County prosecutors, who will determine whether charges should be filed.

Cornell Clemons' death is the 29th homicide in Tulsa this year.

The shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. Thursday at the home Clemons shared with Jane Burns, Sgt. Kim Presley said. Officers found Burns, 22, standing over the 29-year-old outside the house.

She told police she had shot him in self-defense during a domestic argument. Medics pronounced Clemons, a registered sex offender, dead at the scene.

The couple had a history of domestic problems, Sgt. Mike Huff said.

"She had been a past victim of domestic violence by the same subject, and she was trying to leave the residence that evening," Huff said. "He initially said that he was going to slash her tires, and then he lunged at her with the knife." Burns shot Clemons once in the torso and then ran to a neighbor's house screaming for help. A semiautomatic handgun and a knife were recovered from the house.

"She has been cooperative with the investigation, and her story is consistent with the physical evidence," Huff said.

Burns was released after she was questioned Thursday night.

Clemons was charged in March 2004 with assaulting Burns when they lived at another location.

According to court records, he allegedly threw a can of air freshener at her face, hitting her right eye. A police officer who responded to the call said her eye was swollen and that her eyebrow was cut.

The case was dismissed in August 2004 at the request of the prosecution, court records show.

Clemons was arrested in March for failing to register as a sex offender, Presley said.

Update from the Fox23.com of April 29, 2006

Police Say Homicide Was Self Defense

Police say a woman who shot her boyfriend to death was acting in self defense. Police say the woman was defending herself from her boyfriend who was coming at her with a knife. Police say the couple did have a history of domestic problems. The man is a registered sex offender with a second degree rape conviction.

The shooting happened at about 10:30 pm on Thursday at the couple's home around 7th and Xanthus. Police say after they have fully completed their investigation they will forward the case to the District Attorney's Office so they can determine if charges will be filed. The man's death was Tulsa's 29th homicide this year.