Girlfriend charged with murder

Published 12:29 am Monday, October 1, 2007

NATCHEZ — The live-in girlfriend of a man killed in his residence Saturday was arrested early Sunday morning on charges of murder.

Mary Louise McQuarters, 52, 317A Dumas Drive, was arrested at approximately 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

Pete Jackson, 52, was killed Saturday evening, apparently from blunt force trauma to the back of his head, law officials have said.

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“With the evidence at the scene and statements from witnesses, we developed enough evidence to charge her with murder,” Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said Sunday.

Mullins said since the case was still under investigation, he could not release details about the evidence.

No bond will be set for McQuarters until her arraignment today.

McQuarters, who rents the house on Dumas Drive, and Johnson had lived together for 13 years.

“She is a very loving, family-oriented person,” McQuarters’ niece Robin Battiste said. “She even wanted to marry him.”

The couple had ongoing domestic disputes, Battiste said.

A fight was reported at that residence a year ago, and neighbors said they heard the couple fighting at approximately 11 p.m. Friday, police have said.

McQuarters called in Jackson’s death to the police Saturday.

McQuarters’ niece Reneé Stewart said Jackson had been abusive toward McQuarters in the past.

Rhonda Ward, a friend of McQuarters,’ said she was “a very good person — honest.”

Coroner James Lee said Saturday he saw pieces of broken furniture and glass in the house, as well as large amounts of blood.

An autopsy will be performed on Jackson’s body.