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Woman Accused Of Killing Husband To Undergo Evaluation

SHELBY TWP. (WWJ/AP) - A Macomb County woman accused of killing her husband will undergo a psychological examination to determine whether she understands the charges against her.

Julie Chimelak was referred to the state Center for Forensic Psychiatry on Monday to determine her criminal responsibility and whether she's competent to stand trial in the death of her 75-year-old husband, Ronald.

Chimelak is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and possession of a firearm while committing a felony.

Police say she shot her husband once in the chest on Nov. 25 at their home in the 20200 block of Nicol Creek Drive, near Hall and Heydenreich roads in Macomb Township. She later called police and told them she accidentally shot her husband.

During her arraignment five days after the shooting, Chimelak told the judge that she suffers from a biopolar disorder and battered woman syndrome, saying that Ronald threatened to kill her for four months.

But Chimelak recently denied telling a magistrate that she was the victim of abuse, and maintained that the shooting was accidental.

Her next court appearance hasn't been scheduled.

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