Six-Year Veteran Of Stanislaus Sheriff's Department Arrested For Murder

MODESTO (CBS13/AP) – A six-year employee of the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a Modesto woman in September of 2010.

After a long investigation, Kari Abbey was arrested today for the shooting death of Rita Elias.

"This is a tragedy for everyone involved" said Sheriff Adam Christianson. "We offer our deepest condolences to the Elias family."

The sheriff had said previously that the shooting was in self-defense, but new evidence and a new witness led to the criminal charges.

A complaint filed in Stanlislaus County Superior Court alleges charges of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. In addition, violations of Conspiracy, Embezzlement from a Government Entity, Cultivation of Marijuana, Receiving Stolen Property and Child Endangerment are also charged on the complaint. Bail has been set in the amount of $300,000. Abbey may be arraigned as early as today.

District Attorney Fladager said, "This is certainly a tragic situation. Charges have been filed following a thorough investigation. We will now seek to bring this matter to a fair and just conclusion."

The shooting happened in September in a residential area of Modesto. Abbey, a Stanislaus County detective who was off-duty, shot and killed 31-year Elias after an argument.