OKC Man Charged With Manslaughter In Wife's Shooting Death

A man who says he shot his wife on accident early Monday morning is charged with first-degree manslaughter.

It happened just before 2 a.m. Monday in the 100 block of NW 80th St. That's near I-235 and Wilshire.

Bernard Morris, 57, called 911 that morning saying he accidentally shot and killed his wife, Cynthia Morris. But, after further questioning, investigators believed there was probable cause to arrest Morris for manslaughter in the first degree.

On Wednesday, Bernard Morris admitted to detectives that he went "into the closet of his bedroom and retrieved a firearm." He said as he was getting into the bed, "the gun went off and killed his wife."

He told investigators, the reason he got the gun was because "he was bored" and "I was f****** around with it, and it went off."

Shortly after, Morris starting having severe chest pains and was rushed to an area hospital.

9/23/2013 Related Story: Neighbors Shocked By Accidental Shooting Death In NW OKC

"If he hadn't had the heart attack, then I would think that maybe something is up," said neighbor Jimi Hoke.

Neighbors News 9 talked to didn't know the couple well, and said they had only lived in their home on Northwest 80th a few months.

"They were just very quiet people," said Hoke. "I've seen them come and go. I've seen kids out in the yard playing, but I've never heard any problems or anything with them."

According to the affidavit, family members told police Morris was unfaithful to his wife. He admitted to investigators during further questioning "he was responsible for shooting his wife."

Morris also admitted to smoking a synthetic form of marijuana earlier in the day.

"I was kind of in shock, but at the same time, you never know what goes on around here," said Hoke.

Bernard Morris was released from the hospital and booked into the Oklahoma County Jail. In the past six months, News 9 is told there were no previous calls to Morris' home, domestic or otherwise.

9/26/2013 Related Story: OKC Police Arrest Husband In Wife's Shooting Death