"I'm sorry:" New Berlin man allegedly kills wife during fight

NEW BERLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A New Berlin man is charged with allegedly killing his wife during a fight on April 28.

James Farris, 59, is charged with First Degree Intentional Homicide and Misdemeanor Bail Jumping.

Officers were called to a home on South Highpointe Drive after a man called 911 to report that he had a fight with his wife and she was unresponsive.

When officers arrived on scene, they saw Farris standing over his wife yelling, "You need to help her!"

His wife was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers observed injuries to the woman and dried blood underneath her fingernails. The house also allegedly showed signs of a struggle.

Officers spoke with Farris who told them that they take care of a family member who has special needs and it caused a great deal of stress, leading to arguments between him and his wife.

According to the criminal complaint, Farris said he and his wife were pushing or "wrestling" when she allegedly punched him in the side of the head. Farris said that he and his wife then fell to the floor in the living room and that he landed on top of her. His wife was then unconscious, he told police.

Farris said he tried to wake his wife up by splashing soda in her face. He allegedly checked to see if she was still alive using a stethoscope. 

Farris told officers that he and his wife would have "knockdown, drag-out fights, but nothing like this." 

Police had previously been dispatched to their home for fights. Farris was charged with Disorderly Conduct after waving a firearm at his wife and stating, "I wish you were dead" during an incident in February. 

When Farris was led out of the home, he allegedly looked at his deceased wife and said, "I'm sorry." Farris told police they had been married for 40 years. 

Farris will have a hearing on May 6.