Dallas County public defender arrested for fatal stabbing of wife in downtown apartment

Dallas County chief investigator who once supervised family violence cases is now accused of murdering his own wife. According to arrest documents, Friday night police were called to the Christopher Luxury Apartments on North Ackard Street in downtown Dallas. Firefighters had to force their way inside but found furniture blocking the door. Once they got in, they found 53-year-old Maria Spurger dead with the knife still in her neck. Officers say her husband, 54-year-old Jimmy Spurger Jr., was covered in blood. Officers also found empty medication bottles. According to police, he was taken to the hospital and could not be interviewed at the time. On the Dallas County Public Defender's Office website, Spurger's bio says he's worked there for more than 13 years. Before that, it says he spent 10 years with the Dallas County DA's office. Public records show he filed for divorce less than two weeks ago. Fox 4 reached out to his employer for comment, but have not received a response. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins did post this to X, though, saying, quote, Upon notice of this tragic murder yesterday, I instructed administration to place the employee on suspension and remove his access.