The chief investigator for the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office has been charged with murder after his wife of roughly 35 years was found stabbed to death inside their downtown Dallas apartment Friday night, less than two weeks after he filed for divorce.
Jimmy Spurger Jr., 54, faces a first-degree felony murder charge in the death of Maria Spurger. Firefighters responding to a welfare check around 10:40 p.m. Friday found her on a couch with a knife in her neck, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Fox 4 Dallas. Spurger was found sitting on a bed in another room, covered in blood.
Spurger had filed for divorce Oct. 26, Dallas County court records show. As of a Nov. 3 entry, Maria had not yet been served with the divorce papers.
Firefighters went to the couple’s apartment on North Akard Street after receiving the welfare check call. No one answered repeated knocks, and furniture was found blocking the door. After moving it aside, firefighters discovered Maria unresponsive on the couch. Spurger did not respond when asked if he was OK, and the crews withdrew and called police.
Officers arrived around 11:13 p.m. and found Spurger covered in blood with a small knife beside him. Several empty pill bottles, also covered in blood, were found in the kitchen, according to the affidavit. No one else was inside the apartment.
Maria was pronounced dead at the scene. Spurger was taken to Methodist Central Hospital, where investigators said they could not question him because he may have taken multiple pills. He was booked into the Dallas County Jail Saturday and is being held without bond.
Office response
Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins said Sunday that he ordered Spurger suspended and his office access revoked.
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