A 33-year-old Smithton man is facing a felony for allegedly killing his wife on September 16.

Michael Brown allegedly ran over his wife with a vehicle in front of their children.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, law-enforcement officers identified the victim as 32-year-old Maria Brown.

Some witnesses at the scene told authorities Brown was in his truck and backed into his wife, then left the scene.

After Brown turned himself in about three hours later, he spoke at length to authorities about religion and described Maria as a “dark angel.” A friend told authorities Michael Brown said “God wanted him to do it.”

Brown is charged with Class A Felonies for Murder in the First Degree and Assault in the First Degree; two counts of a Class D Felony for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and a Class D Felony for Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death; a Class E Felony for Resisting/Interfering with an Arrest for a Felony; and an Unclassified Felony for Armed Criminal Action. The judge has ordered no bond.

Brown’s case was tranferred to the Grand Jury on November 12 and he was arraigned on December 7 when he pleaded not guilty. A Motion for Change of Venue was filed on December 8. His next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 19 at Pettis County Circuit Court.