Betty Jane Adams, 60, was charged in connection with the May 1, 2015 death of John Wesley Alleman, 68, at his home in the 60 block of Hickorytown Road in Middlesex Township, according to the Cumberland County District Attorney Se\u00e1n McCormack.<\/p>\n
Alleman was found in bed with a gunshot wound to his head after a 911 call around 7 a.m. initially reported the death as a suicide, authorities said.<\/p>\n
At the time, Adams told investigators she had been sleeping in another room before getting up to use the bathroom when Alleman called to her. She claimed the two argued, that Alleman pulled out a gun and fired at her, then turned the weapon on himself a minute or two later, McCormack said during a press conference.<\/p>\n
Adams also told investigators she moved the firearm from the bed to a dresser after the shooting, according to prosecutors.<\/p>\n
The Cumberland County Coroner ruled the death a homicide because the scene did not match Adams’ account, McCormack said.<\/p>\n
Investigators quickly focused on Adams, in part because no evidence of a second gunshot was ever found despite her claim that Alleman fired at her.<\/p>\n
Authorities also found inconsistencies between Adams’ version of events and the position of Alleman’s body and hands.<\/p>\n
McCormack said experts determined Alleman’s hands should have fallen a certain way based on the gunshot wound, but investigators found them positioned differently.<\/p>\n
Adams continued maintaining that Alleman died by suicide during a follow-up interview with investigators in 2021, according to the district attorney.<\/p>\n
“It’s one thing for the pathologist to say this is a homicide and another thing for prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt in a criminal court,” McCormack said.<\/p>\n
After consulting with experts regarding Alleman’s body, the gunshot wound, and other physical evidence, investigators determined they had sufficient evidence to charge Adams with first-degree and third-degree murder, according to prosecutors.<\/p>\n
Authorities said Adams and Alleman had been in a romantic relationship and lived together for approximately 10 years before his death.<\/p>\n
Court records show Adams was arrested near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on May 18 and returned to Cumberland County.<\/p>\n
McCormack also revealed that Adams had been named beneficiary of Alleman’s $32,000 life insurance policy in 2010 after a change made following the death of his wife in 2005.<\/p>\n
According to prosecutors, Adams filed a claim on the policy 10 days after Alleman’s death.<\/p>\n
Police later informed the insurance company they were investigating Adams in connection with the death, prompting litigation that ultimately prevented her from collecting the money. Court records show Adams failed to respond to the lawsuit, resulting in a default judgment against her and an order to pay nearly $7,000 in attorney fees.<\/p>\n
Several of Alleman’s family members attended Monday’s news conference.<\/p>\n
McCormack said relatives had long doubted Alleman died by suicide.<\/p>\n
“This is not something that their loved one would ever have done,” McCormack said.<\/p>\n
Adams waived her preliminary hearing on Monday, court records show. She remains held at Cumberland County Prison after being denied bail.<\/p>\n
Her formal arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 10.<\/p>\n
Alleman worked for Associated Products Services, Inc., a septic system service company. He was survived by his brother, sister, nieces, and nephews.<\/p>\n
Additional details about Alleman’s life were not immediately available. His loved ones are invited to share information with Daily Voice by emailing [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n