Man Says Prayer Group Leader Told Him to Kill Wife

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Kansas City man who told police he killed a woman to prevent her from telling someone she had been sexually assaulted by men in her prayer group is set for arraignment Wednesday on a first-degree murder charge.

Investigators say 23-year-old Micah Moore also told them that he killed 27-year-old Bethany Deaton on Oct. 30 at the request of her husband, the prayer group's leader.

Tyler Deaton has not been charged, but the Jackson County prosecutor says he is being investigated in connection with her death. Deaton did not respond to messages left by phone and social media, requesting comment.

Bethany Deaton's death initially was considered a suicide. That changed when Moore confessed to police Nov. 9.

His attorney declined to comment on the case.

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