Independence man’s arraignment delayed in girlfriend’s shooting death

Sean Ray, who is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of his girlfriend earlier this month, made his first court appearance Wednesday in Independence.

Jackson County Associate Circuit Court Judge Twila Rigby continued Ray’s arraignment until April 1.

Ray, 41, allegedly shot and killed Kari Jean Tabor during a Feb. 9 argument at their residence in the 1900 block of South Norton Avenue in Independence.

After calling 911, Ray told arriving officers that he had been cleaning a rifle during the argument, according to court documents. Ray said the weapon went off at about the same time Tabor grabbed the barrel of the rifle to move it away from her.