Police: Wife shoots, kills husband in Dorchester dispute

A man is dead and his wife is in the hospital after an apparent violent domestic situation ended in a homicide overnight in Dorchester County, officials said.

Maryland State Police identified the deceased as Eugene W. Tolley, 59, of Rhodesdale, Maryland. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nancy J. Tolley, 57, was injured and is undergoing treatment at Dorchester General Hospital for an injury to her head and other complications, police said.

Maryland State Police at the Easton Barrack received a 911 call from Nancy Tolley at the couple's address reporting a shooting at about 3 a.m. April 5. When they arrived, troopers found a man, later identified as Eugene Tolley, lying in the driveway.

Police said he appeared to have sustained at least one gunshot wound and a handgun was found on the ground not far from the body.

The preliminary investigation indicates the couple became involved in a domestic argument in the garage of their home, police said. Investigators developed information indicating the husband may have been assaulting his wife, which included inflicting an injury to her head.

While he was continuing to threaten her, Nancy Tolley retrieved a gun from the home and shot her husband as he approached her, police said based on preliminary evidence.

No charges have been filed at this time, police said. The Dorchester County state's attorney has been briefed on the investigation and is expected to present evidence to a grand jury for consideration of charges.

Investigators are looking into a history of domestic violence involving the couple. Police said further information is being obtained from scene evidence and ongoing interviews.

Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators responded to conduct the investigation. They were assisted by personnel from the State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, the Crime Scene Unit and Easton Barrack personnel, police said.