Altoona woman found guilty of killing boyfriend in 2022

DES MOINES, Iowa — A Polk County jury on Tuesday found an Altoona woman guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting death of her boyfriend in 2022.

On August 10, 2022 the Altoona Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at a home in the 2200 block of 3rd Avenue SW. When first responders arrived on scene they found John Killen dead from multiple gunshot wounds inside the home.

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According to court documents, Killen and Marique Ruth were in a relationship for nearly a year before the shooting took place. On the night of the shooting Ruth and Killen got into a verbal argument over finances and other issues. Ruth grabbed and loaded a handgun from the bedroom and walked to the kitchen area where she shot Killen, who was sitting on a coach in the living room, court records state. After the first shot, Ruth approached Killen and shot him another three times.

Ruth claimed that she shot Killen in self-defense, the Iowa Attorney General's Office said. According to a criminal complaint, Ruth told detectives that after the first shot Killen stood up and tried covering himself with his hands in an attempt to protect himself. Ruth also said that during the incident Killen didn't threaten or harm her.

Ruth was arrested and charged with first-degree murder seven months after Killen's death.

On Tuesday Ruth was found guilty of first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for December 13.