James W. Harley Jr.

UPDATED Oct. 6

Prince Frederick, MD - A St. Mary’s County man accused of murdering his estranged wife this past spring in her Calvert County home will spend the rest of his life in prison if state prosecutors succeed in making their case. According to a docket summary, the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office gave notice last week to the local Circuit Court that they intend to seek life without the possibility of parole for the defendant, James Walter Harley Jr., 38 of Mechanicsville.

On Friday evening, April 28, the victim, Tanya Harley, 34, was found shot to death inside her home on Rawhide Drive in Lusby. According to documents filed by Detective Michael Mudd of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Tanya Harley had been shot twice—in the upper torso and head. Earlier in the evening a neighbor contacted police after he, along with the couple’s young son, entered the house and discovered Tanya Harley “lying in the threshold in between the master bedroom and master bathroom.” Tanya Harley was found “with a purse wrapped around her right arm.”

After a lengthy manhunt James Harley turned himself in at the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack the following afternoon.

Mudd indicated in the court documents that the couple had allegedly had extramarital affairs, James Harley had threatened to kill his wife and had previously attempted suicide. The detective reported that some of James Harley’s threats against his wife were texted. Those missives have been saved. During a search of one of the three vehicles parked at Tanya Harley’s residence police located a temporary protective order. According to Mudd, in the protective order Tanya Harley wrote that James Harley “had threatened to put her in a coffin.”

James Harley is tentatively scheduled to be tried in front of a jury in early November. The defendant is being represented by attorney Brendan Callahan.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com

UPDATE June 22, 2017 4:35 p.m.

Prince Frederick, MD - A Calvert County grand jury has indicted James W. Harley Jr. in connection with the late April murder of his estranged wife. In addition to murder, the three-count indictment charges Harley with firearm use in a felony/violent crime and second-degree assault. The indictment was handed down Thursday, June 22.

The victim, Tanya Harley, was found dead in her home in the Chesapeake Ranch Estates subdivision of Lusby Friday evening, April 28.

Harley remains jailed on a no bond status. An arraignment date in Circuit Court had not been determined as this story was being filed.

Update May 24

Prince Frederick, MD - A St. Mary’s County man charged with the shooting death of his estranged wife at her Calvert County residence last month went before a District Court judge Wednesday, May 24. James Walter Harley Jr. 38 of Mechanicsville surrendered to police in Leonardtown April 29, less than 24 hours after the victim, Tanya Harley, was found dead. Harley’s attorney, Brendan M. Callahan, sought to have the charges his client is facing dropped. In addition to murder, James Harley is charged with second-degree assault and firearm use in a felony violent crime. Callahan told Judge Robert B. Riddle that the state failed to prove its argument of probable cause.

The only witness called during the preliminary hearing was Cpl. Richard Wilson, who was the first officer to respond to the house in Lusby where Tanya Harley’s body was discovered. The discovery was the result of Tanya Harley’s neighbors’ discovery of the couple’s son roaming the area saying he couldn’t find his parents. Wilson said he learned “the relationship was strained [between James and Tanya]. They were in the process of divorce. We found Mr. Harley was very depressed.” Additionally, the officer said the accused had threatened to kill his wife and himself and had stalked the victim. Deputies located a protective order in one of the vehicles parked outside the home. Wilson also revealed that someone who spoke by phone with Tanya Harley prior to her death told police he could hear James Harley shouting at his estranged wife during the phone conversation. During questioning by Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Morton, Wilson stated police used a cell phone tracking device in an attempt to locate James Harley. The intense manhunt in Southern Calvert failed to yield the suspect.

During cross-examination by Callahan, the officer confirmed that police have not located the murder weapon and did not test James Harley for gunshot residue. Wilson confirmed that investigators have yet to speak to anyone who heard the gunshots from the house on the night of Tanya Harley’s death.

Callahan noted that his client “made himself known” to the Maryland State Police in St. Mary’s County the day after his wife’s murder. The defense attorney told the court there was “absolutely no evidence linking him [James Harley] to this,” and asked that the charges be dismissed.

Riddle did not concur that there was no probable cause and indicated the case would be remanded to Calvert’s Circuit Court. The judge ordered that James Harley remain in custody. Morton then requested that the court order the defendant have no contact with his two children. Callahan told the court that “Social Services has called him [Harley] with his daughter on the phone.”

Harley’s next court appearance has not been determined.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com

Update: May 2

Lusby, MD - Documents on file in Calvert County District Court reveal a marriage on the rocks for James and Tanya Harley of Lusby. The strained relationship reached a tragic end Friday evening, April 28. Tanya Harley, 34, was found dead in the couple’s home on Rawhide Road. According to Detective Michael Mudd of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Tanya Harley had been shot twice—in the upper torso and head. A manhunt for her husband ensued. Mudd reported James Walter Harley Jr., 38, turned himself in to the Maryland State Police in St. Mary’s County the following afternoon.

Friday evening’s events began when a neighbor contacted police after he, along with the couple’s son, entered the house and discovered Tanya Harley “lying in the threshold in between the master bedroom and master bathroom.” Mudd stated three .40 caliber cartridges were located at the scene. Tanya Harley was found “with a purse wrapped around her right arm.”

In the application for statement of charges, Mudd indicates that the couple allegedly had extramarital affairs and that James Harley had threatened to kill his wife and had previously attempted suicide. “James had made statements to several family members that he was going to jump off a bridge and once was found at his mother’s grave where he made threats to kill himself,” Mudd stated. “The family advised James was heartbroken over the pending divorce.”

Mudd indicated that some of James Harley’s threats against his wife were texted and the phone-delivered missives had been saved.

During a search of one of the three vehicles parked at the residence—in this case, James Harley’s truck—“investigators located a temporary protective order where the decedent [Tanya Harley] had written that Harley had threatened to put her in a coffin. Inside the decedent’s vehicle officers observed paperwork where the decedent advised she was the victim of physical and verbal abuse and threats.”

James Harley is being held without bond in the Calvert County Detention Center. He has been charged with murder, second-degree assault and firearm use in a felony/violent crime. The murder charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. A District Court hearing on the charges is tentatively scheduled for May 24.

UPDATE Sunday, April 30

Lusby, MD - A Calvert County man has been formally charged in the shooting death of his wife at their home in Lusby. The shooting occurred Friday evening, April 28.

According to a District Court summary, James W. Harley Jr. was charged with murder, second-degree assault and firearm use in a felony/violent crime. Harley is being held without bond in the Calvert County Detention Center. A preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for May 24 in District Court.

The victim--Tanya Louise Harley, 34--was found by police Friday evening at the couple's home on Rawhide Road. Tanya Harley was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound.

Update: April 29th 1:51 p.m.

Lusby, MD - The Calvert County Sheriff's Office reports the suspect in the April 28 homicide--James W. Harley Jr.--has turned himself in and is in police custody.

Calvert County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Lusby, MD - On April 28 at approximately 9:30 p.m., units responded to a residence on Rawhide Road, Lusby, for an assist sick or injured call. Upon arrival it was determined that Tanya Louise Harley, a 34 year old female, was deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Her husband, James W. Harley Jr. a 38 year old male, has been developed as the suspect. Harley left the residence prior to deputies arriving. He has not yet been located and the police are actively searching for him. It is unknown if he is on foot or in a vehicle at this time. Please report any suspicious activities. Detective Mudd of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office is the lead Detective and can be reached at 410-535-1600 ext. 2469 or muddjm@co.cal.md.us.

UPDATE 6:30 a.m.

Lusby, MD - The Calvert County Sheriff's Office advises that a manhunt is underway in Lusby in the area of Rawhide Road. A spokesman for the sheriff's office told TheBayNet.com that the suspect is wanted in connection with a homicide. Citizens in the Lusby area are urged to report suspicious activity to the sheriff's office immediately.

Lusby MD - April 29, Calvert County Sheriffs Office is advising all residents to stay inside and lock your doors until further advised.

More details as they develop