BUCYRUS—Bond was set via video in the shooting death of a Bucyrus woman.

Anthony Morgan, 52, of Bucyrus, was charged in Crawford County Municipal Court with one count of reckless homicide, a felony of the third degree punishable with up to 36 months in prison. Morgan shot his wife, Jennifer Morgan, once in the head, causing her death.

Crawford County Municipal Court Judge Shane Leuthold listened as Crawford County Prosecutor Matt Crall outlined what police believed happened.

According to Crall, Morgan was playing with his gun. The 9mm weapon did not have a clip in it, but one bullet remained in the chamber.

Crall said that as Morgan steadied himself on the bed with his finger in the protective loop of the trigger, the gun discharged, striking his wife in the head.

“By his own statement, when he got up, he used the bed to steady himself with his finger near the trigger. It discharged less than two feet from his wife’s head.” Crall said.

Morgan called 911 to get help for his wife. The dispatcher asked him if he could go back into the bedroom to check on his wife. He told her he could not.

When assistance arrived, Jennifer Morgan was still alive but attempts to save her life were futile. She was pronounced dead at Avita-Bucyrus Community Hospital.

Crall told Judge Leuthold that preliminary autopsy results support Morgan’s account of events. However, Crall noted information is still being gathered in the case.

“This can’t be characterized at this time as suspicious but we are looking into other details,” Crall said.

In gathering evidence to set a bond for Morgan, Judge Leuthold asked Morgan about his employment status. Morgan told Leuthold that he is both physically and mentally disabled.

In reviewing Morgan’s criminal record, it was noted that he has no felony record but misdemeanor records that include a warrant for failure to appear.

In reviewing facts before establishing bond, Leuthold pointed out that Morgan does have a misdemeanor record that includes a failure to appear for a court date.

Leuthold expressed his concern because while he did call for help for his wife, he did not cooperate with the dispatcher’s request that he go back to the room and check on his wife.

Morgan could be heard telling Judge Leuthold:” I couldn’t look at her again! I just shot her on accident.”

“Mr. Morgan it’s obvious you are very distraught but I’m going to advise you to stop talking until you consult with an attorney.”

In conclusion, Judge Leuthold told the court:” The court has a lot of questions about what happened here but obviously we don’t have the answers today.” Leuthold said.

Leuthold set Morgan’s bond at $150,000.00. He appointed Andrew Motter to represent Morgan.

Another bond hearing will take place early next week so that Motter has an opportunity to argue for a different bond for Morgan.

Crawford County Now will continue to cover this developing story.