A Mississippi woman who is accused of shooting and killing her ex-husband shortly after he signed their divorce papers has been denied bond. Tanya Saucier, 49, remains in custody following a Tuesday court ruling in which Judge Steve Simpson denied her bond request, citing her as both a “special danger and flight risk.”
As previously reported, Saucier is charged with murder after she allegedly shot 62-year-old James Ray Saucier outside the Pearl River County Courthouse on December 17, 2024.
The couple had just finalized their divorce when Saucier, allegedly waiting for her ex-husband, shot him as he left the building, with several witnesses present, including their attorneys.
Court Ruling and Further Details
On Tuesday, Judge Simpson decided that Saucier should remain in jail without bond, a decision backed by Pearl River District Attorney Hal Kitrell. Saucier was subsequently transferred to Lamar County Jail, where she will remain until her trial.
Authorities had previously reported that the divorce proceedings between the Saucier couple were highly contentious, with tensions so high that they were scheduled to appear in court at separate times to avoid any confrontations.
The fateful incident on December 17, 2024, took place without prior scheduling, according to Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office Lead Investigator Maj. Scott Allee.
The Fatal Shooting
Saucier, accompanied by her attorney, Jansen Owen, arrived at the courthouse around 10 a.m., while James Ray Saucier and his attorney, Don Rafferty, arrived about an hour later.
Shortly after noon, as James Ray Saucier was leaving the building, Tanya Saucier allegedly waited outside and fired several shots at him using a 9 mm handgun.
The shooting occurred in full view of both attorneys, as well as other courthouse visitors. Witnesses, including the victim’s own attorney, expressed shock and disbelief at the act.
Owen, Saucier’s attorney, condemned her actions, calling the murder “unjustifiable” and pointing out a lack of courthouse security as a contributing factor to the tragic incident.
Lack of Security Raised Concerns
In an interview with WLOX, Owen stated, “What Miss Saucier did yesterday is unjustifiable. I witnessed her murder him.” He also criticized the state’s lack of security at courthouses, which he argued could have prevented the tragic event.
Owen pointed to widespread security issues throughout Mississippi, saying, “We have a really big problem throughout Mississippi with lacking courthouse security.”
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Saucier’s actions have sparked significant concern about courthouse safety, and the investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Saucier will remain in jail without bond until her trial, and legal experts anticipate that the case will bring attention to both domestic violence and security concerns in public legal spaces.
The tragic killing of James Ray Saucier, just after finalizing their divorce, has left the community reeling and raised important questions about the safety of public spaces like courthouses where such acts of violence can occur.
