Pregnant Woman Begged For Life Of Unborn Baby Before She Was Shot Twice In Head

A pregnant woman begged for her life and that of her unborn baby boy just before she was shot two times in the head in her home in Prattville, Alabama, last month.

Hunter James Tatum, 25, is charged with two counts of murder in the Oct. 18 death of his 26-year-old wife Summer Tatum and their unborn son Everett. He appeared in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing in front of Autauga County District Judge Joy Booth.

During the hearing, Prattville police investigator Wesley Clark recounted the moments that led up to Summer's death through her husband's statements to investigators and what could be heard on the home security video footage.

Clark testified that Summer, who was five months pregnant, could be heard saying on the footage moments before she was shot, "I'll stay, I'll stay. I'll do anything you want. Don't hurt me, please, don't hurt our baby, please don't hurt our baby."

"No. Get away from me," Summer's husband responded, according to Clark.

Prosecutors said the couple argued after Summer, who had cerebral palsy, discovered her husband was allegedly cheating on her with a woman he'd met online. The wife had packed her bags and was ready to leave him when she was killed, according to the prosecutors.

Police obtained video and audio recordings from three cameras outside of the Tatums' home in Sunset Court on the day of the shooting. Investigators also collected a copy of footage from a neighbor's home.

"The video doesn't show much, but it picks up the audio. You can hear the victim screaming and then two gunshots," Clark said of the neighbor's footage.

One camera pointed toward the exterior wall of the master bedroom, where Summer was found by first responders. The blinds on both exterior windows were open at the time of the incident, Clark said.

"You can see what appears to be Mr. Tatum dragging the victim across the floor after two gunshots," Clark testified.

Prosecutors alleged in a previous hearing that Summer was turned away and on her knees during the argument in the couple's bedroom. She was shot once in the back of her head near her neck and once near the top of her head.

However, the suspect's attorney claimed Hunter acted in self-defense and was trying to wrestle away a .38-caliber firearm from his wife after she'd armed herself during the fight.

Hunter called 911 after the shooting, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney C.J. Robinson, but did nothing else to save the life of Summer.

Robinson added that the case may be elevated to the grand jury and that Hunter’s case may be upgraded to capital murder.

The trial is ongoing.