He was formally indicted by a Butler County grand jury last week and was arraigned Tuesday on the charges by Judge Charles Pater. His bond remains at $1 million.
After the alleged shooting, Nitz left on his motorcycle and rode toward Meigs County, about three hours from Middletown.
One of Nitz’s friends told Middletown police he received a text that read: “I just killed my wife talk to you later.” The friend thought the text was a joke, then he received the next text: “I kill her sorry,” according to the search warrant. Later, police received a tip that Nitz was riding to Meigs County to kill a deputy who works in the jail, the search warrant said.
He had a gun when he was arrested by Meigs County sheriff deputies. If convicted of murder, Nitz faces 18 years to life in prison.
Crista Nitz was discovered after being shot in the head by her 11-year-old daughter.
Nitz allegedly killed his wife of seven months after he found “phone numbers” on her cell phone, according to search warrants obtained by the Journal-News. Middletown police later located the cell phone on the roof of the home, where Bobby Jo Nitz told police he threw it during the argument.
POLICE: Man who allegedly shot and killed wife had no criminal past locally
According to Meigs County court records, Nitz has been arrested and charged there numerous times for domestic violence, disorderly conduct/intoxication, and passing bad checks. Prior to April 30, Middletown police had never responded to the house on Short Street, according to police records.
The 11-year-old girl now is living with her biological father in West Virginia. The father said he heard about the indictment, but refused to comment.
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