First-degree murder

A man accused of killing his wife earlier this month is now charged in McClain County District Court with first-degree murder.

Steven Moody Jr., 40, is in the McClain County Jail after a judge denied bail and ruled him indigent.

The charge alleges Margarita Moody suffered “severe trauma resulting in her death” after Moody repeatedly beat her “violently about the head, face, torso and body.

The killing occurred in the couple’s home at 211 W. Adams.

Moody’s initial appearance on the felony charge is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Moody also has a preliminary hearing conference at 9 a.m. March 16. His preliminary hearing will be at 9 a.m. October 4.

According to an affidavit, Purcell police were called to the home on the afternoon of February 5 in reference to a possible homicide.

Police found the victim, covered by a blanket, in the bathroom.

A police K9 located Moody nearby and he was arrested. At the police station, Moody agreed to be questioned by Det. Cpl. Gaetano Cipriano.

According to the affidavit, Moody admitted punching his wife two to four times in the face with his closed fist on February 2 after he looked through her cell phone.

He said she fell down the stairs while he was using the bathroom.

Moody said he checked on her, but her eyes were rolled back and he knew she was dead.

He carried her to the bathroom where he covered her with blankets and lay with her for two days, according to the affidavit. He never called 911.

On the morning of February 4, Moody said he packed some personal belongings, left the house and checked into Econo Lodge.

Later that evening, he went gambling and then spent the night with a friend.

On February 5, the friend received a phone call informing them of the death and that police were looking for Moody, the affidavit continued.

Moody fled, but was soon captured by police.

Moody further admitted his wife was unstable after the beating and before she fell down the stairs.

He also admitted to trying  to clean up blood in the home, according to the affidavit.