Family Investigated After Detective Arrested
MODESTO, Calif. (CBS13) -- Family members of a Stanislaus County deputy arrested on murder charges are also being investigated in connection with criminal accusations, authorities said.
Court documents say the husband and father of Detective Kari Abbey are accused of repeatedly abusing renters at low-income properties across the region.
Abbey is facing second-degree murder and a large number of other charges after fatally shooting a Modesto tenant during a rent dispute and claiming it was self-defense. The six-year veteran of the Sheriff's department is also accused of growing marijuana, counterfeiting, and possessing illegal weapons.
A neighbor of one of the suspect's properties, who asked not to be identified, said she witnessed Abbey's husband assault a resident three months before the fatal shooting.
"I saw him get out of the car and get in a confrontation," the neighbor said. "One hit and [the tenant] was down, he was knocked out, he went to the hospital that night for a concussion."
When officers responded to the fight, they decided it was a mutual fight and didn't arrest anyone.
"They all hugged each other, went away and left," the neighbor said.
Court documents say none of the abused renters complained to the Sheriff's Department because they "felt they would not be listened to because they were complaining about a member of law enforcement."
The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department reportedly fired Abbey on Monday, the day she was arrested, but officials were not able to comment on personnel matters.
