A Molalla man who police say

told a 911 dispatcher they had been arguing and drinking, then she told him to shoot her.

Wayne Flues III claimed he didn't know his handgun was loaded when he pointed it at her face and pulled the trigger, according to court documents.

Flues, 54, was indicted Jan. 10 on a murder charge for the Jan. 2 death of his 53-year-old wife, Brenda Flues. A trial is tentatively scheduled to begin March 2 in Clackamas County Circuit Court.

Emergency responders found the wounded woman in bed with the covers pulled up to her chest, according to a search warrant affidavit. A gun was on the floor next to the bed.

Flues later told a police detective his wife tried to take his handgun from him. The affidavit said Flues advised the detective, "Don't ever kill your wife, dude."

The couple's daughter told investigators that her mom had been talking for a year about wanting a divorce, but she didn't want to be alone, the affidavit said. The daughter said she once overheard her father say he couldn't live without his wife.

Flues reiterated to the police detective that he shot his wife, the affidavit said. He claimed, "someone belittles you enough and someone screams at you enough, you shoot back."

According to the affidavit, Flues said the shooting would ruin the lives of his family.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey