Posted 2:51 pm Tuesday, January 15, 2013
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Trial opens for Tyler dentist who allegedly shot wife
A retired Tyler dentist will go on trial Wednesday for allegedly shooting and killing his wife in June after he said she nagged him about going out every Friday night.
Dr. Bobby Ray Nichols, 76, faces a sentence of five years to 99 years or life if convicted of the first-degree felony charge of murder, Smith County Assistant District Attorney Richard Vance said in October. The trial will take place in the 7th District Court, with Judge Kerry Russell presiding.
Nichols is accused of shooting and killing his 71-year-old wife Rosiland Nichols on June 29 inside their home in the 3400 block of Allen Street after the two argued about his “staying gone every Friday,” according to the arrest affidavit.
Nichols told police he went to Willow Brook Country Club at noon June 29, had a drink and then went to Dakota's restaurant where he had a few more drinks with friends before returning home at 5 p.m. that day.
“Rosiland Nichols started a verbal argument with him in reference to him staying gone every Friday,” the affidavit stated. Nichols said she kept following him around the residence for four hours and told him to leave the house, according to the arrest affidavit.
Nichols told police he went to Willow Brook Country Club at noon June 29, had a drink and then went to Dakota's restaurant where he had a few more drinks with friends before returning home at 5 p.m. that day.
“Rosiland Nichols started a verbal argument with him in reference to him staying gone every Friday,” the affidavit stated. Nichols said she kept following him around the residence for four hours and told him to leave the house, according to the arrest affidavit.
Nichols told police that he told his wife he did not have to leave his own house, but she reiterated her demands, the affidavit stated.
“He advised she continued to nag him, so he pulled out his handgun and shot her twice in the abdomen while she was seated on the couch in the living room,” the affidavit stated.
Police said Nichols pulled the trigger a third time, but the weapon misfired. “He advised that Rosiland immediately clutched her stomach and slumped over,” the affidavit stated.
Nichols attempted to give his wife mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but she already died, according to the affidavit. No one else was in the home at the time of the incident, authorities said.
Investigating officers responding to the emergency call described Nichols as cooperative, displaying no resistance to their arrival.
The arrest affidavit described Nichols as being “remorseful” about what he had done, and that the defendant had cried, saying he had ruined everyone's life that is in his family.
Nichols was released on a $750,000 bond on July 3 from the Smith County Jail.
“He advised she continued to nag him, so he pulled out his handgun and shot her twice in the abdomen while she was seated on the couch in the living room,” the affidavit stated.
Police said Nichols pulled the trigger a third time, but the weapon misfired. “He advised that Rosiland immediately clutched her stomach and slumped over,” the affidavit stated.
Nichols attempted to give his wife mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but she already died, according to the affidavit. No one else was in the home at the time of the incident, authorities said.
Investigating officers responding to the emergency call described Nichols as cooperative, displaying no resistance to their arrival.
The arrest affidavit described Nichols as being “remorseful” about what he had done, and that the defendant had cried, saying he had ruined everyone's life that is in his family.
Nichols was released on a $750,000 bond on July 3 from the Smith County Jail.
