When Joseph Gotell appeared in a downtown courtroom Thursday to face murder charges in the shooting death of his estranged wife, he stared straight ahead and showed no emotion.
Deborah Gotell, 57, was shot twice in the head and once in the right arm in broad daylight on a downtown street corner May 14. She had been out running errands when she became involved in an argument with Joseph Gotell, 83, around 2:15 p.m.
Joseph Gotell was arrested at the scene. Officers said Gotell fired a .32 revolver and then threw it about 10 feet away after the shooting.
Deborah Gotell passed away several days after the shooting.
The Gotells were married for about 5 years but recently separated prosecutor C.J. Mody told the court.
Her daughters said Joseph Gotell threatened their mother in the past but they never thought they needed to take the statements seriously.
Mody requested anyone who saw the shooting or may have surveillance video of the crime contact San Diego police.
Gotell faces an additional charge of firing a weapon that carries an additional 25 year sentence so if convicted, Gotell faces 50 years to life in prison.
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