Jury selection began Friday for a man suspected of murdering his wife on New Year’s Eve 2020 in Ignacio.
Damon Mathews, 45, is charged with 10 counts, including first-degree murder, felony assault, intimidation of a witness, retaliation against a witness and possession of a weapon by a previous offender, among other charges.
According to law enforcement, Mathews strangled his wife, Rachel Philips Mathews, who was 47 at the time, before shooting her in the head. Family members have said Rachel was known by her maiden last name, Ream.
The shooting occurred about 11 p.m. Dec. 31, 2020, in a shed behind the Ignacio house, according to an arrest affidavit.
Mathews had been released from jail only six days earlier, on Christmas Day, after serving time for domestic violence against Ream. A protection order was in place preventing Mathews from coming into contact with Ream, but he began living behind her house in a one-room living area the day after being released from prison.
Mathews told police that on New Year’s Eve he and Ream were “vibing,” meaning they were getting along. They started drinking beers about 7 p.m. in the back house, he said, but she became angry when she perceived him ignoring her. She left the converted garage area and went back to the main house.
But around 11 p.m., Ream returned and they began arguing again.
Mathews told an investigator that she grabbed him around the neck, so he pushed her away and she began making a lot of noise. Mathews said he became concerned neighbors would hear her and call police.
“Damon said he knew if the police came, he would go to jail again because of the protection order and because he was on bond for the previous domestic violence with Rachel,” the affidavit says.
Mathews said it “hurt his feelings” that Ream would do something to cause him to go back to jail. He told investigators he grabbed her by the neck and squeezed for about three minutes.
“Damon said when he released Rachel’s neck, she was gasping and remained on the floor,” the affidavit says.
Mathews then went into the main house to retrieve Ream’s car keys and money so he could flee. He said he knew he would go to jail for attempted murder.
He then grabbed a 9mm semi-automatic handgun from Ream’s headboard, went back to the converted garage and shot Ream once in the head, he told investigators, according to the affidavit.
“Damon said that Rachel was breathing and conscious when he shot her,” the affidavit says.
Mathews drove to Denver, bought some drugs and snorted a line of methamphetamine, the report says. He then believed someone was controlling his car, and the tire blew, so he called 911.
“When the deputies arrived, he told them that he believed he had a warrant for his arrest for murder,” the affidavit says.
The trial is expected to resume Monday with jury selection. Opening statements are expected to be late Monday or early Tuesday. Fourteen people are expected to serve on the jury, including two alternates.
shane@durangoherald.com
