BULLHEAD CITY – A domestic violence expert testified that a Topock woman tolerated verbal and physical abuse before she put an end to it when she shot and killed her boyfriend in May, 2020. Jennifer Priole, 50, pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the death of Jeffrey Dufour, 50.
Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle was told that Priole shot Dufour three times, the final round fired about 20 minutes after the first. Priole reportedly smoked a cigarette and made a phone call between the gunshots when she was possibly in a “dissociative” state, according to the psychologist.
Dufour’s sister testified that the victim’s family had a difficult time accepting Priole’s battered woman syndrome self-defense narrative. She said they believed Priole shared responsibility for the troubled relationship.
Judge Carlisle ordered a 16-year prison term during the Aug. 13 sentencing hearing.
Dave Hawkins