A New Jersey woman was arrested for the shooting of her husband on Christmas Day.
Marylue Wigglesworth, 51, was accused of murdering her husband, David Wigglesworth, 57, at their home in Mays Landing.
The prosecutor’s office released a statement saying that at around 10:19 pm on Christmas night, the Township of Hamilton Police department responded to a 911 call about a man who had been shot.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found David Wigglesworth with a gunshot wound. Officers pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police had evidence that led to the arrest of the man’s wife, Marylue Wigglesworth. She is being held at the Atlantic Justice Facility.
The deceased man was well-known in the community and was active in local politics. He ran as a Republican in 2019 for a position on the Township Committee, but lost the election.
He served on the local planning board and volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City. He is survived by his son.
Friends who knew the couple were shocked by the news. A mutual friends wrote on Facebook, “I can’t believe this. Our hearts are completely shattered, we have known Mary and David for years. This can’t be true, prayers for everyone… I’m in complete shock. Rest in peace, Wiggy.”
Marilee Wigglesworth’s lawyers say she was the victim of domestic violence and that she shot her husband during a physical fight between the two.
Her attorneys said that she “strongly maintains her innocence.”
The lawyers maintain that, “… Ms. Wigglesworth was the victim of domestic violence. Due to her husband’s assault that night, Ms. Wigglesworth experienced significant bruising and other injuries.” The attorneys said that Christmas was not the first time that their client had suffered at the hands of her husband.