Hearing date set in spousal murder case

<p>A preliminary hearing date has been scheduled for Nov. 29 in the case of a Petaluma man who was arrested for allegedly murdering his wife at their home on McNeil Avenue in January.</p><p>The hearing, involving Kenneth Mullennix, 50, has been scheduled for 10 a.m. in Department 1 at Sonoma County Superior Court. At a preliminary hearing, a judge decides if there is enough evidence for a defendant to stand trial.</p><p>Kenneth Mullennix was arrested on a first-degree murder charge and a weapons charge after calling a Petaluma Police Department dispatcher on Jan. 9 to say that he had just shot his wife, Buapha Mullennix, 36. “She's insane,” said Mullennix, adding that she had tried to attack him.</p><p>Mullennix pleaded not guilty to the two charges on Jan. 13, and remains in custody.</p><p>Police officers found that Buapha Mullennix had died of a single gunshot wound, and located a handgun that they believe was used in the shooting. </p><p>Kenneth Mullennix had a blood-alcohol level of .235 percent, nearly three time the legal limit, on the day of the incident. </p><p>Some neighbors and friends of the couple have claimed that Buapha Mullennix was a victim of domestic violence. Investigators subsequently discovered bludgeons, ropes and other restraining devices in the house, as well as written statements indicating possible motives for the shooting.</p><p>Tracy Carrillo is the lead prosecutor in the case for the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office.</p><p> — Argus-Courier Staff</p><p>A preliminary hearing date has been scheduled for Nov. 29 in the case of a Petaluma man who was arrested for allegedly murdering his wife at their home on McNeil Avenue in January.</p><p>The hearing, involving Kenneth Mullennix, 50, has been scheduled for 10 a.m. in Department 1 at Sonoma County Superior Court. At a preliminary hearing, a judge decides if there is enough evidence for a defendant to stand trial.</p><p>Kenneth Mullennix was arrested on a first-degree murder charge and a weapons charge after calling a Petaluma Police Department dispatcher on Jan. 9 to say that he had just shot his wife, Buapha Mullennix, 36. “She's insane,” said Mullennix, adding that she had tried to attack him.</p><p>Mullennix pleaded not guilty to the two charges on Jan. 13, and remains in custody.</p><p>Police officers found that Buapha Mullennix had died of a single gunshot wound, and located a handgun that they believe was used in the shooting. </p><p>Kenneth Mullennix had a blood-alcohol level of .235 percent, nearly three time the legal limit, on the day of the incident. </p><p>Some neighbors and friends of the couple have claimed that Buapha Mullennix was a victim of domestic violence. Investigators subsequently discovered bludgeons, ropes and other restraining devices in the house, as well as written statements indicating possible motives for the shooting.</p><p>Tracy Carrillo is the lead prosecutor in the case for the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office.</p><p> — Argus-Courier Staff</p>