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Mother charged with murder was victim of domestic abuse

Posted at 7:17 PM, Sep 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-13 06:14:54-04

Long before police say Arriel Bryant fatally shot Richard Kelley, there were signs the couple's relationship was volatile according to court records obtained by 5 On Your Side Investigators.

Three times in the last seven years, Kelley was criminally charged with domestic violence against Bryant.  

Investigators say Bryant shot Kelley multiple times inside the couple's home in the 900 block of Alhambra Road on Monday night. Police say Bryant then took the couple's two children, triggering an Amber Alert. Bryant was arrested and the children were found safe Tuesday morning.

RELATED: AMBER Alert is canceled after two children found unharmed, mother in custody

The first documented sign of problems between the couple came in December 2011 when Kelley was charged with felonious assault and domestic violence against Bryant. Court records show he pleaded guilty to attempted felonious assault and was sentenced to nine months in prison.

Five years later, Kelley was back in trouble after police say he slammed Bryant's head into a wall, punched and strangled her until she urinated on herself. Investigators say the attack happened in front of the couple's children. 

Kelley was charged with kidnapping, felonious assault, domestic violence and criminal damaging along with endangering children, among other charges. But records show he again entered a plea deal and was sentenced to probation.

But before that case was resolved, the couple was back in the courtroom. Kelley was charged with domestic violence in January 2017 after police say he pushed Bryant, then stood over her and said, "I should punch you in the face."

Bryant was granted a temporary order of protection, but that ended in April, 2018 after the domestic violence charge against Kelley was dropped.

Bryant is now charged with aggravated murder for the death of Kelley.