A Spokane man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend has been released from custody after prosecutors declined to formally file charges against him, citing an ongoing police investigation. Tucker Mosley, who faced a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of his girlfriend, was freed Wednesday after the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion for his release rather than proceed with charges within the legally required 72-hour window.
What Happened
According to public records from the case, the victim was shot in the chest during the early hours of Saturday morning. Mosley made his first court appearance Monday, at which a judge found probable cause supporting the murder charge. A plea hearing had been scheduled for Thursday, but the case stalled when prosecutors opted not to officially file charges before the legal deadline expired Wednesday.
Julie Humphreys of the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office indicated the office is not making a final determination on charges at this time, with the investigation by the Spokane Police Department still active.
Self-Defense Claim Faces Scrutiny
Mosley told investigators that he acted in self-defense, claiming his girlfriend came at him with a knife during a dispute involving allegations of infidelity. However, police found no knife at the scene — not in the apartment, not in Mosley’s vehicle, and not in the victim’s purse. Investigators also discovered two firearms inside Mosley’s apartment, a finding that contradicted his assertion that no other weapons were present. A police report further noted that Mosley did not appear to exhibit grief over his girlfriend’s death during his interactions with law enforcement.
The absence of a recovered knife and the presence of multiple firearms are expected to factor heavily into any charging decision once detectives complete their work. Cases involving self-defense claims require thorough investigation before prosecutors can confidently proceed, particularly when physical evidence conflicts with a suspect’s account.
Legal Process and What Comes Next
Under Washington state law, prosecutors must formally charge a suspect within 72 hours of arrest or seek the individual’s release. Because the Spokane Police Department had not yet concluded its investigation by Wednesday’s deadline, the prosecutor’s office chose to release Mosley rather than rush a charging decision. That release does not mean charges will not be filed — it means the timeline has been paused while investigators continue gathering evidence.
Cases involving disputed self-defense claims and inconsistent physical evidence can take additional time to build. The lack of a recovered knife, combined with police observations about Mosley’s demeanor and the discovery of multiple weapons in his home, will likely remain central to the investigation. Once detectives submit their findings, the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office will determine whether to move forward with the second-degree murder charge or pursue a different charge altogether.
For readers in North Idaho and Kootenai County, law enforcement cases like this one — where procedural timelines intersect with ongoing investigations — are a reminder of how criminal justice processes balance speed requirements with the need for thorough evidence-gathering. Cases involving self-defense claims can be among the most complex for prosecutors to evaluate. For broader coverage of public safety and law enforcement developments across Idaho, visit related reporting on officer conduct and accountability.
No trial date has been set. Mosley remains out of custody pending any future charging decision by the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office.