Prosecutors have reportedly reduced criminal charges against a Florida woman accused of taking firearms out of an allegedly abusive husband’s residence last month.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Courtney Irby was reportedly arrested on multiple serious charges after allegedly breaking into her estranged husband’s home to retrieve illegally owned guns, which she surrendered to police.
According to NBC News, State Attorney Brian Haas announced during a press conference this week that a misdemeanor count of trespassing is more appropriate than the more serious counts of burglary and theft.
He stressed that the circumstances surrounding the case was a symptom of larger and ongoing domestic issue, noting that Joseph Irby is also facing charges related to allegations that he hit her with his car.
“This is a case of a highly contested divorce, escalating to the point of husband and wife being charged with crimes,” the prosecutor added.
Haas further confirmed that evidence shows Courtney Irby’s decision to take the guns was not a premeditated move, indicating she went to Joseph’s home to grab a luggage key as she and her kids headed out of town to escape his alleged abuse.
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[Featured image: Courtney Irby and Joseph Irby, Polk County Sheriffs Office]
