Buchanan murder trial gets change of venue

A Ste. Genevieve woman accused of killing her husband was given a change of venue to St. Francois County.

Stephanie Marie Buchanan, 43, is charged with first-degree murder in Ste. Genevieve County. Circuit Court Judge Kenneth W. Pratte granted a change of venue to St. Francois County for trial.

According to police reports, deputies were called to the Buchanan residence on June 29 and found Donald Buchanan’s body laying face down in a bed. A gun was found on the floor near his body.

At first, Stephanie Buchanan told police the two had wrestled over a pistol and it accidentally discharged, killing her husband.

Later, she told police they had been arguing over money and she purchased the gun at a pawn shop.