BROWNSVILLE — An Edmonson County man who was allegedly killed by his wife of 35 years was believed to have been sitting on a couch when he was shot.

Judy H. Lee, 49, 3761 Wingfield Church Road, told Kentucky State Police that her husband had attacked her and she shot in self-defense.

Lee is charged with murder in the death of Ricky Lee, 52, who was shot just below his right shoulder Nov. 9 at their home. Judy Lee appeared Tuesday in Edmonson District Court for a preliminary hearing. Judge John McCarty found probable cause in the case to send it to an Edmonson County grand jury.

The bullet’s trajectory made her story difficult to believe, said Detective Scott Skaggs from state police.

“The bullet entered his body at a downward angle, like he was on the couch,” he said. “It traveled through his lung, kidney and diaphragm and became lodged in his lower back.”

When asked if that position could also indicate Ricky Lee had been shot while lunging for his wife, Skaggs said that was possible. The trajectory tests have not been completed.

When state police arrived at the home, they found a revolver in the kitchen and a large pool of blood in the living room, Skaggs said.

Alan Graf, the public defender representing Judy Lee, asked Skaggs if Judy Lee had made statements that she had shot her husband while he was attempting to choke her.

Judy Lee made a number of statements after the shooting, Skaggs said.

Ricky Lee had threatened to commit suicide and fired a shot into the wall in the bedroom, according to her statements, Skaggs said.

She told police there was an altercation over the gun, he said.

“After the altercation, she said she hid the gun from him so he wouldn’t hurt himself, but then brought it right into the room where he was,” Skaggs said.

Three shots were fired in the house, one into the hallway that was a warning shot and the third into Ricky Lee, Skaggs said.

Six to eight empty wine bottles were found in the home, Skaggs said.

Ricky Lee’s preliminary blood alcohol content at The Medical Center in Bowling Green where he was pronounced dead was 0.25, he said.

“Her own statements were that he could barely walk,” Skaggs said. “She said this wouldn’t have happened if I just would have left him alone.”

Judy Lee also told Skaggs the night of the shooting she could have left the home at any time, Skaggs said. Judy Lee’s statements were videorecorded.

Skaggs admitted that in stressful incidents such as accidental or self-defense shootings, people will often try to think of ways they could have avoided the situation.

In addition Judy Lee admitted her husband was sitting on the couch when he was shot, Skaggs said.

“She stated the reason she shot him was because he told her she didn’t have the guts to shoot him,” Skaggs said.

A struggle definitely did occur between Judy Lee and her husband – she had bruises and scratches on her body, Skaggs said.

The couple was undergoing some financial difficulties at the time of the shooting, Skaggs said. They were being sued over medical bills.

Graf requested McCarty review Judy Lee’s $100,000 bond.

“There’s reason to believe in this case, there could be a legitimate argument for self-defense,” he said. “This is going to be a long case and with her financial difficulties, Mrs. Lee cannot afford the bond set. She is no threat to society or anyone else.”

Judy Lee does not have any violent criminal history, just a couple of charges for bad checks, which further underscores the couple’s financial problems, Graf said.

Greg Vincent, county attorney for Edmonson County, opposed a bond reduction based upon the nature of the case.

McCarty refused to reduce the bond.

Judy Lee remains in the Warren County Regional Jail. The prosecution has 90 days to present the case to a grand jury.