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Man accused of murdering his wife

Written by Chris Collins August 27, 2010 04:21 am

Authorities expect to charge a Baker City man with murder today in connection with the Thursday morning shooting death of his wife.

Kevin Michael Blankenship, 41, of 3500 Auburn Ave., was taken into custody shortly after his wife, Christina Dawn Blankenship, 38, was shot at the couple’s home in southwest Baker City, District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff said today.

“He is alleged to have shot his wife in an act of domestic violence,” Shirtcliff said.

None of the couple’s children was at home at the time of the shooting, Shirtcliff said.

The 911 dispatch center received a call reporting the shooting at 12:28 a.m. Thursday, according to the press log. The Baker County Major Crime Team was activated to begin the investigation, Shirtcliff said.

A Baker County grand jury was scheduled to consider the case today.

Shirtcliff declined to give other details about the shooting, including the type of weapon involved.

Blankenship was jailed at 2:20 p.m. Thursday. No bail has been set.

He also is being held on an unrelated charge of contempt of court for failing to complete requirements on a conviction for driving under the influence of intoxicants, Shirtcliff said.