Accused Wife Killer Gets Court-Appointed Lawyer

TYLER — A Smith County man who police say shot and killed his wife has been granted a court-appointed lawyer. KETK reports Adrian Mata, 29, was in court Tuesday, and was given a lawyer by the state. The suspect is accused of fatally shooting Jennifer Mata, 30, in the head on Tuesday, February 25, at their home on County Road 333.

When authorities responded to the scene of the shooting, Adrian Mata had fled in his car. He was arrested at a home in The Villages subdivision located on Serenity Lane near Lake Palestine. One homeowner said Adrian Mata was inside her home. According to the other homeowner, Adrian Mata worked for them and at one point during their discussion the suspect put a gun to the homeowner’s head. A pistol was also recovered during Mata’s arrest near Lake Palestine. It is not clear at this time whether this weapon was the one used in the murder of Jennifer Mata. It is currently being analyzed in Texas Department of Public Safety lab. Mata is currently being held in the Smith County Jail on $1,000,000 bond.