Cherryville man accused of shooting, killing girlfriend will stand trial

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A Cherryville man accused of murder will stand trial beginning Monday.

Police say Jeffrey Eaker shot and killed his girlfriend Lacey West at a home on Black Road in 2016.

They say other family members including Eaker's daughter were inside the home. Eaker's daughter was four years old at the time.

Eaker's daughter is expected to testify against her father this week. Eaker claims the gun went off accidentally.

Autopsy results reveal that West died from a single bullet to the head fired at close range, according to Channel 9's partners at the Gaston Gazette.

West was shot and killed in April and police charged her boyfriend, Jeffrey Eaker, in her death.

Eaker told police that his gun fired accidentally while he was cleaning it at his home near Cherryville.

The report shows that before the shooting, the couple was watching TV with Eaker's two young children when the pair started arguing.

It goes on to say that Eaker threatened to kill them all.

He's charged with first-degree murder.

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