Man charged in his girlfriend's murder

HOUSTON Joseph Amos Shaw was arrested on Saturday. He did not appear in court Monday morning, but we did speak with his lawyer.

Shaw is being held without bond because at the time of this murder, he was out on parole for another murder. In 1982, Shaw was sentenced to 35 years for attempted capital murder in Bell County and is currently out on parole until 2026. Prosecutors say Shaw did not become reformed during his 35 years in prison.

Authorities say Rhonda Sue Scott died of a gunshot wound in her home on Garden Landing Dr. in northwest Harris County on January 14. Her body was left in a pool of her own blood. Deputies say Scott, 49, was found dead inside the garage, discovered by a family member who called sheriff's deputies after Scott couldn't be reached by phone.

Scott's red Camaro was missing, but was later found in northeast Harris County. Neighbors said they had seen Shaw, 53, driving Scott's car before.

Police were looking for Shaw right away and named him a person of interest at the time. They say his ankle monitor had been cut off and left with Scott's body.

Court records show Shaw told his ex-wife he suspected Scott of infidelity, drove to the ex-wife's home intoxicated the night of the murder in the victim's car and allegedly told her something really bad had happened to his girlfriend.

Shaw's lawyer is court appointed and said he doesn't know much about his client yet, but said the evidence was circumstantial. Shaw's case was reset for March 8.