A Hill District woman today was ordered to stand trial for the shooting death last week of her husband.

Ozie Kennedy, 51, was ordered to remain in the Allegheny County Jail to await trial on a homicide charge in the death Oct. 22 of her husband, Samuel Kennedy, 57.

Mr. Kennedy was found dead, lying in the hallway outside his apartment in the K. LeRoy Irvis Towers, at 5:35 a.m. Oct. 22. He had been shot in the back, with the bullet striking several organs before it exited his chest, according to an autopsy report presented by Deputy District Attorney Mark V. Tranquilli at a preliminary hearing today.

Pittsburgh homicide Detective Cynthia Smith testified that Mrs. Kennedy, under questioning, said her husband frequently was physically abusive toward her. On several occasions, Mr. Kennedy kicked her out of the apartment, Det. Smith said, referring to the suspect's statement.

On Oct. 21, Mr. Kennedy had ordered her out. She went to the home of a friend where she said she stole a pistol and ammunition and returned to her apartment the next day to retrieve some belongings.

While there, Mrs. Kennedy told police, her husband yelled at her, shoved her into a wall and pushed her in the face before he went to the kitchen where she heard him opening drawers, Det. Smith testified.

When Mr. Kennedy returned to the living room, his wife had the pistol trained on him even as he forced her out of the apartment.

At the door, Mrs. Kennedy said her finger slipped on the trigger and the weapon fired.

Later in the day she returned the gun to its owner and went back to the scene, where she was taken into custody.

District Judge Robert Dzvonick ordered her to stand trial on charges of homicide and illegal possession of a concealed firearm.

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