Subscribe
Community
Schools suspend driver after husband is killed
Bryans Road woman charged in July 20 shooting death
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Steven C. Cabezas Sr.
|
E-Mail This Article
See related story
The former Charles County school bus driver charged with shooting her husband to death during an argument last week has been released from jail on bond, court records show.
Police arrested Janet L. Cabezas, 51, on July 20 after a relative allegedly found her holding a handgun in the backyard of her Bryans Road home. The body of Steven C. Cabezas Sr. was discovered in the living room of the residence, according to police and charging documents.
Janet Cabezas had phoned the family member to report the shooting, court records state, and asked the relative to check to see whether her husband was dead. Steven Cabezas, 54, had been shot multiple times in the upper body, and the relative called police at about 8:12 p.m., said Charles County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kristen Timko.
An acquaintance of the family member took the gun from Janet Cabezas and kept it in a safe place until sheriff's officers arrived, Timko said.
Police will not report the exact locations of Steven Cabezas' injuries or what sparked the argument between the couple.
In an interview with detectives, Janet Cabezas admitted that she shot her husband, according to court papers. She was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree assault and has been released from jail on a $250,000 bond posted by Clifford and Elizabeth Dunnington.
Elizabeth Dunnington wouldn't comment on the case or say how she knows Janet Cabezas. However, state tax records show that Clifford Dunnington is the owner of Dink's Bus Service Inc., where Janet Cabezas was employed as a driver.
Dink's contracts with the Charles County Board of Education to transport students, and Janet Cabezas had been driving a school bus for about 20 years, according to Shelley Buter, spokeswoman for the county schools. Because Janet Cabezas has been charged with a violent crime, her license to drive a county school bus has been suspended, Buter said.
On the day of Janet Cabezas' release, the public defender's office was permitted to take pictures of her face and "any other bodily injury," stated court paperwork.
Janet Cabezas has twice lodged court complaints against her husband, alleging domestic abuse. The court orders in both cases were rescinded or dismissed, according to court documents.
Neighbors and friends said they are skeptical of Janet Cabezas' claims.
"This is not a cut and dry, man abusing woman situation. Steve was easy-going and hard to provoke," said the victim's friend, Harold Baker.
Baker said that he knew Steven Cabezas as a helpful and friendly man.
The 54-year-old construction engineer visited Baker's property almost every day after work to tend a vegetable garden he had planted on the land. Steven Cabezas also spent chunks of time four-wheeling with Janet Cabezas' grandchildren.
"[Steven Cabezas] had a weak spot for children," said his son, Steven Cabezas Jr.
But his son said that most of Steven Cabezas' free time was spent lending a hand, despite his bad back. Recently, he helped fix a friend's broken truck.
"I said, ‘Dad, your back is toast. You shouldn't be doing it.' He said, ‘I know, but I'm all right,'" said Steven Cabezas Jr.
Dora Cabezas, who was previously married to Steven Cabezas, said that her former husband had a "heart of gold" and was never abusive toward her.
"I never knew him to lay his hand on anyone, and I lived with him in his younger years," she said.
But Janet Cabezas' lawyer had a different view.
"I think if they do the homework and look at the history of violence by the decedent, they will not seek an indictment," said public defender Sheila Sullivan of the state's attorney's office.
She said that Janet Cabezas' face was black and blue at the bond hearing.
Janet Cabezas' daughter would not comment.
Sheriff's detective Brion Buchanan is investigating.
