Grand jury hands down murder indictment

Published 7:12 pm Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Dee Trent Reifinger

Dee Trent Reifinger

 

The woman accused of killing her boyfriend in what authorities described as a domestic incident, has been indicted for murder by a Beaufort County Grand Jury.

Dee Trent Reifinger, 54, was charged with an open count of murder for the shooting death of Michael Wayne Moon on Aug. 21 in Pinetown.

Reifinger is alleged to have shot Moon in the home they shared on Long Ridge Road. First responders found Moon deceased, with a gunshot wound to the head.

According to Assistant District Attorney Tom Anglim, the open count of murder covers all possible options for prosecuting murder cases: first-degree murder, second-degree murder and manslaughter, which allows room to negotiate in the event of a plea offer.

“That indictment allows us to offer something less than first-degree murder,” Anglim said.

Anglim said a Rule 24 hearing will be held in November, the purpose of which is to determine whether the State will be seeking the death penalty in the case. There are two punishments in capital murder cases in North Carolina: death or life without parole.

Upon arrest, Reifinger was sent to safekeeping in Raleigh Women’s Prison, according to Lt. Karen Ball with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Though Reifinger’s secured bond was set at $500,000, on Sept. 9 an Onslow County bail bondsman secured her release.

Anglim said a trial date will not be set until prosecution and defense attorneys have a chance to review evidence.