Judge upholds assault charge against Cape Girardeau County man accused of shooting wife with arrow

At a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Merriel E. Housman Jr. was granted a bond reduction and Cape Girardeau County Associate Circuit Judge Michael Bullerdieck upheld assault charges against the Jackson man.

Housman Jr. is accused of shooting his ex-wife, Betty Housman, in the back with a bow and arrow and choking her.

The charges were upgraded to include the first-degree assault because of the severity of Betty Housman's injuries, said Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecutor Jack Koester.

Bond was reduced form $10,000 cash-only to the same amount cash or surety.

Housman Jr. was ordered to stay with a friend while on bond, and refrain from any contact with his ex-wife.

The case was set for a felony arraignment on Dec. 1.