A Covert man says the shooting of his girlfriend last Friday was an accident. Jeffrey Howell was arraigned yesterday on a charge of assault with intent to murder. He told the judge during that proceeding he would never hurt his girlfriend, Guadalupe Hernandez. She considers their relationship over and admitted to grabbing the gun as it discharged into her midsection. The 50-year-old Howell has a criminal record and legally should not have been in possession of the weapon. Due to that, bond has been set at $1 million.
