Judge rejects release bid for Mount Tabor murder suspect

A judge has denied a bid by a Mount Tabor woman accused of killing her husband to get released from jail as she awaits her murder trial.

Rutland County State’s Attorney Rose Kennedy, who is prosecuting the case against Peggy Shores, has argued against releasing her to a relative’s home in Wells. The prosecutor has contended that the remote location of the residence would make it difficult to properly monitor Shores.

Wells is on the outskirts of Rutland County and borders New York state.

Judge David Fenster, in a ruling released this week, appeared to agree with the prosecutor and denied the request to release Shores on home detention with electronic monitoring.

“The proposed residence is a factor specific to the Defendant,” the judge wrote. “The court concludes that considering the nature of the offense, the Defendant’s history of violence, the risk of flight, and the risk to public safety, this proposed residence is too remote.”

Steven Howard, Shores’ attorney, said Tuesday afternoon he’s already filed a new motion proposing a new location where his client can live that addresses the judge’s concerns. No ruling has been made on that request.

“We haven’t given up,” Howard said. “We’re trying to be responsive to the court’s concerns. In consultation with the family and my client we’re attempting to get her released so she can assist in her defense.”

Shores, 52, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of her husband, David Shores, 54, in December inside a home the couple shared in Mount Tabor.

Peggy Shores, who called 911 to report the incident, told police her husband tripped and fell on the stairs while carrying a loaded gun, accidentally shooting and killing himself.

Authorities did not arrest Peggy Shores for more than two months after the shooting while they investigated the case.

Police investigators say the downward trajectory of the bullet, the location of the wound on the left upper chest and the lack of gunshot residue in that area make it impossible for David Shores to have fired the fatal shot.

Fenster had earlier agreed to a request from Kennedy, the prosecutor, to hold Peggy Shores without bail, and the Vermont Supreme Court later affirmed that decision.

Kennedy could not immediately be reached Wednesday for comment.

A trial is not expected in the case until 2018. If convicted, Peggy Shores faces 20 years to life in prison.

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