Wife Dead, Husband on Trial, After Dirty-Dishes Argument

WAYNESBURG, Pa. – A Greene County, Pa., man is scheduled to stand trial Monday on charges he killed his wife during an argument over dirty dishes.

Pennsylvania State Police say 27-year-old James Petrie of Richhill Township, Pa., shot his 17-year-old wife, Jessica, with a rifle on July 7, 2005.

Petrie acknowledges shooting his wife — but says he didn't believe the gun was loaded when he threatened her with it during the argument.

Jessica Petrie died at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., a few hours after the shooting.