WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) -- A Whiteville man will spend more than five years in prison after his conviction for killing his wife 14 years ago.
According to a news release from District Attorney Jon David, John Avery Phillip Cumbee, 53, was convicted Thursday of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of 36-year-old Angela Jones Cumbee.
On Aug. 7, 2000, John and his wife were in their bedroom. After an argument, Angela was dead of a gunshot wound by a .44 magnum. Investigators said Angela was right handed. But, the gun was found in her left hand in an inverted position which the defendant admits to staging.
Investigators originally ruled the death a suicide. But, they said that always seemed suspicious. Upon further investigation by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, John was arrested for murder on Oct. 1, 2012.
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