Case continued for woman charged with murder

MIDDLETOWN — The Alabama woman who was arrested and charged with murder for allegedly killing her boyfriend in their Middletown home in March appeared in court Tuesday.

Melody Christensen was arrested March 3 in an East Hartford hotel just days after police said she fatally shot the victim in the apartment they had moved into together two weeks prior.

She was also charged with illegal discharge of a firearm.

Christensen, who entered a plea of not guilty, first appeared in court on March 5, where she was issued a $1 million surety bond. She remains at home after posting bond, according to court records.

Christensen’s attorney, Anthony Spinella, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. In August, he indicated that he was considering several possible defense arguments, including coercive control.

According to an arrest warrant, Middletown police were called to a South Main Street residence on March 1 after a caller reported gunshots. The individual said he heard a woman saying she was going to shoot someone, the warrant affidavit states.

Christensen also called 911 and said “she and her boyfriend were shot and he was dead,” according to the warrant affidavit. Police found Christensen with a gunshot wound to her chest, they said. Both Christensen and the victim were taken to the hospital, where the victim was pronounced dead, documents indicate.

Christensen told police she was protecting herself after a physical altercation, they said.

She has no prior convictions, according to authorities.

Christensen’s next court date is set for Dec. 7.

Christensen