Wife Charged in Stabbing Death of Richfield Man

The wife of the man killed in a Richfield assault Sunday morning has been charged with second-degree murder.

Amreya Rahmeto Shefa, 40, allegedly stabbed her 48-year-old husband, Habibi Gessese Tesema, after he asked to use a sexual device on her during intercourse and to bring another woman into their bedroom. Tesema died of the stabbing injuries at the couple's home on the 7300 block of 12th Avenue.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police responded to a report of an assault with a knife on the 7300 block of 12th Avenue. Police were not sure what had happened because of a language barrier with the 911 caller.

When police arrived they spoke to two witnesses that were at the home at the time of the incident. While attempting to ascertain what role either of the witnesses had with the knife, a female with blood on her arms and hands exited the house.

The female, who was yelling in a different language, was subsequently identified as Shefa. Officers eventually learned that two small children and an adult male may still be inside the home.

When officers entered the home, they observed blood in the kitchen and on the door. As officers looked down a hallway, they saw a two-year-old boy peek out of a bedroom. Police eventually coaxed the boy and his three-year-old sister out of the bedroom and removed them from the home.

Once the children were removed from the home, police continued to search the home for the adult male. Police observed a significant amount of blood in the hallway, and on the doors to the bedrooms and bathroom off the hallway. Officeres could hear water running in the bathroom, and kicked the door in.

Police found the adult male victim in tub, who was nude except for his socks. There was a significant amount of blood, and officers observed multiple cuts on his body. Two knives were also in the tub. Officers attempted to resuscitate the victim, however, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Soon officers discovered the victim was the father of the children and Shefa's husband.

Shefa was taken to the hospital to get treatment for a cut on her hand. She told the nursing staff that the victim had stabbed her because he had been drinking and taking khat.

After being treated, police spoke to her at the police station after reading her Miranda rights. Shefa initially told police her husband had been stabbed accidentally after the two had struggled with the knife. However, she later admitted to police that she stabbed him after he asked to use a sexual device on her during intercourse and to bring another woman into their bedroom. The medical examiner had identified approximately 30 injuries, cuts or stab wounds on the victim. A stab wound on the left side of his chest cut his heart and caused his death.

If convicted, Shefa faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.

Richfield Patch will update readers as more information becomes available.

Read: Medical Examiner Identifies Man Killed in Richfield Home Sunday

Read: Police Investigate Death, Crime Scene at Richfield Home