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Fire Marshal Murder Probe Focuses On Wife

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Dec 4, 2007 11:35 pm US/Eastern

Fire Marshal Murder Probe Focuses On Wife

Woman's 9-1-1 Call Raises Serious Questions With Cops

Reporting
Mary Calvi

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Brooklyn fire marshal Douglas Mercereau was found shot to death inside his Staten Island home.
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CBS 2 HD has learned the wife of a fire marshal found murdered in his home is now a suspect in the killing.

Held for 10 hours in the 122nd Precinct, police have surrounded this woman. Sources tell CBS 2 HD more than one suspect may be responsible.

One clue for investigators have uncovered while trying to solve the murder of 38-year-old Douglas Mercereau points the finger at least for now at his wife, Janet.

"There were footsteps in the snow leading in the back way out," attorney Mario Galucci said.

Detectives are now performing tests on the wife's clothing and others items taken from the crime scene. She claims she was sleeping at the time of the murder, but when she called 9-1-1 she told the operator his death was not a suicide.

"She is extremely upset," Galucci said. "She is grieving"

Mercereau, a supervising fire marshal, was found dead in his bed, shot three times.

"Officers responding found Mr. Mercereau in bed with a sheet over his head, and shot three times in the head," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "His service weapons was found 10 feet away."

A police source says the gun was found lodged between the dresser and the wall. Two daughters, 5 and 6, were home, but did not witness the shooting.

A 12-year veteran of the fire department, Mercereau worked as a fire marshal in Brooklyn.

On Tuesday night, his wife's lawyer says police should look to his job for a motive.

"He's made many arrests," Galucci said. "He's investigated many cases. He's testified in many cases for those cases."

The couple's marriage was a rocky one. A prior domestic incident led to a harassment claim against the husband.

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