Former Virginia Sheriff's Deputy Murdered Husband While Smoking Crack, Authorities Say

A former Virginia sheriff's deputy was smoking crack cocaine with her husband when she shot and murdered him, authorities say.

Stephanie Mulder, 42, was denied bond at a court hearing Thursday. She's charged with second-degree murder and two related firearms charges.

Authorities accuse Mulder of shooting Jonathan Mulder, 33, in their home on Feb. 2. Both spouses were smoking crack while their year-old son was at home with them, officials said.

According to WAVY-TV, Stephanie Mulder first claimed her husband pointed his gun at her. But only one gun was found at the home.

Mulder then reportedly claimed her husband assaulted her, and she feared he was reaching for a weapon.

Court records show Mulder obtained protective orders against her husband twice last year, then she left him after the shooting to live with her mother in West Virginia. She was arrested last week.

Mulder was a Southampton County Sheriff's deputy from 2008-13. WVEC-TV reports she worked as a detention officer.

“She left law enforcement voluntarily; she wasn’t kicked out in that regard,” defense attorney James Broccoletti said outside court.

Broccoletti argued for allowing Mulder to post bond, but he was denied. Mulder's next scheduled court appearance is Thursday, July 20.