Published: June 25, 2009 01:36 pm      

Husband’s death leads to murder, arson charges in Nashville

NASHVILLE — A prosecutor has filed murder and arson charges against a 40-year-old woman, saying she set fire to her estranged husband’s home, then went inside and shot him as he slept.

Brown County Prosecutor Jim Oliver filed the charges Tuesday against Dottie Andrews, who authorities say suffered burns and smoke inhalation as she tried to leave the house early Friday.

Police say she waited until 44-year-old Robert Andrews had gone to bed before breaking into his home near the Brown County town of Helmsburg. She is charged with setting fire to the garage, then fatally shooting him and his dog in his bedroom.

She told police she meant to kill herself, but the handgun jammed.

Oliver said Dottie Andrews would be jailed after she is released from the hospital.