A Spencer man accused in the death of his wife made his initial court appearance Wednesday. Mark Bruggom reports. 71-year-old Harold Duncan heard his rights and found out who his court-appointed attorneys will be. Clay County magistrate Nancy Wittenberg set bail at 500-thousand dollars cash – no plea was taken. A preliminary hearing if it’s necessary has been scheduled for February 3. Assistant Clay County attorney Mike Houchins had asked for bond to be set high, arguing that the crime Duncan’s charged with is serious and Duncan has no ties to the community. The charges were filed against Duncan after police were called to his home to check on the couple when his wife Karen didn’t report to work. Police say they found her dead of a gunshot wound and Duncan suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Charges were filed the next day by Spencer authorities.
