FT. MOHAVE – A man who shot and killed his wife at their Fort Mohave residence last summer is going to the Arizona Department of Corrections for at least two decades. Keven Olejniczak, 57, pleaded guilty April 9 to second degree murder in the June 23, 2020 death of Karen Olejniczak, 49.
Deputy Mohave County Attorney James Schoppmann said the defendant was heavily intoxicated while arguing with his wife. Defense attorney Paul Amman agreed.
“Mr. Olejniczak essentially blacked out and because of the drinking and everything, he does not have recollection of the event,” Amman told Judge Doug Camacho.
Schoppman said Olejnczak told a friend that his wife struck him with a bat before they struggled for control of a weapon that she pointed at him. The prosecutor said the defendant indicated that the gun discharged by accident during the struggle.
Schoppmann, however, also said the medical examiner determined that the victim suffered a dozen gunshot wounds, mostly to the head and face.
Olejniczak faces a 20-25-year prison term when sentenced May 7.
Dave Hawkins