Expat Scots lecturer is accused of murdering US husband

A SCOTTISH university lecturer who left for a new life in America has been charged with murdering her husband at their home in the US.

Joanna Findlay, 40, originally from Aberdeen, is accused of murdering Gary Trogdon, 55, after he was found dead in the couple's home in Hollywood, St Mary's County, Maryland.

He is reported to have had a gunshot wound to his chest.

The pair, both lecturers, met while at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln some years ago.

They are alleged to have got into a domestic dispute on Saturday night before Mr Trogdon's death. According to court papers lodged at Leonardtown county jail, Findlay called emergency services shortly before 11pm on Saturday to report that her husband had assaulted her.

St Mary's Police dispatchers made follow-up phone calls to the home, and spoke to Mr Trogdon as law officers headed to the scene

Court papers state that, during follow-up calls, Mr Trogdon said that Findlay "had just shot him, and then stated the defendant had shot at him, and he was assaulted by the defendant, resulting in him sustaining a bloody nose".

The papers state that the last conversation between police and Mr Trogdon was "abruptly disconnected", and law officers arriving at the home found Findlay outside the residence.

The University of Maryland website lists Findlay as a lecturer in English, in the arts and humanities department, at the College Park campus.

During a court appearance on Monday, assistant state attorney Christina Taylor cautioned against granting Findlay bail before the trial, claiming she might leave the country.

The prosecutor said: "She does pose a danger to the community, and a flight risk."

Findlay said she had taught at the University of Maryland for eight years, and has lived in Hollywood, St Mary's County, for two-and-a-half years.

When Judge Christy Holt Chesser asked Findlay if she wanted to speak on the issue of her pre-trial custody, the Scots lecturer said: "I have never been in trouble in my life."

She added: "I have not been able to make a call for someone to cover my class."

Judge Chesser ordered that Findlay remain in jail without bond.She said: "I think you are a flight risk," noting that remarks Findlay made to police about taking her own life indicated "you also are a danger to yourself, especially right now".

Findlay studied at Aberdeen University but after taking part in a student exchange to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she never returned to Scotland.

Members of the community in America have been shocked by the allegations made against Findlay.

Sue Hart, English graduate programme secretary at the University of Maryland, said: "I knew her as a nice person and I'm surprised."

Mr Trogdon was a former lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force, and recently earned a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Nebraska, as well as working as a military historian for the Department of the Army.

Peter Maslowski, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln history professor who was Mr Trogdon's doctoral supervisor, said he wasn't sure when or how Findlay and Mr Trogdon met each other, but said they studied at university at the same time.

He described Mr Trogdon as a hard-working student who overcame "a limited educational background".

"He was always outgoing and friendly - always had a smile. That's my recollection of him."

Prof Maslowski added: "I'm sickened by this."