By Jennifer Rogers and Linda Kane, Tribune staff writers

Robert Michael Hughes, suspected of killing his estranged wife Wednesday afternoon, later apologized to detectives saying, &uot;I’m sorry I screwed up.&uot;

He made his first court appearance Friday morning in Freeborn County District Court where he was accused of killing his wife without premeditation, a second degree murder charge, according to court documents. He was unresponsive when addressed by Judge John Chesterman.

A preliminary report from the Freeborn County Coroner’s Office said Tammy Hughes, 30, died from two gun shot wounds to the chest.

Officers were dispatched to 1409 Sheridan Street at 12:32 p.m. Wednesday after a concerned citizen reported hearing a &uot;popping or clanging noise&uot; from the neighbor’s house.

A pump action shotgun was found leaning against the kitchen wall of the home, according to the complaint. Two expended shotgun shells were also recovered, one from the floor at Tammy Hughes’ feet and a second several feet away near the kitchen.

A Winchester shotgun was seized as evidence from the home. It had several shells remaining, including one in the chamber and two in the magazine. The gun’s safety was off. Officers noted there were other firearms in the home, according to the complaint.

While being checked for injuries at the Albert Lea Medical Center, officers collected hand swabs for gun shot residue and trace metals. Robert Hughes’ right and left hands showed the presence of trace metals, the complaint said, which is consistent with the recent holding of a firearm.

He then apologized to detectives.

Upon arriving at the home, officers found the house locked and received no response after knocking.

When officers looked in the window and saw Tammy Hughes lying on the living room floor, they broke in the front door, according to the complaint. The officers secured the residence and found no one else in the house, but they saw Robert Hughes, 31,

kneeling in the backyard by a fire inside a metal fire ring.

&uot;He had an LP tank with a torch and a red plastic gas can next to him,&uot; the complaint said. &uot;The defendant was crying.&uot;

Officers ordered Robert Hughes to the ground and asked him if he was injured. He did not answer.

He &uot;continued to cry and was screaming&uot; and was placed under arrest, according to the complaint.

Robert Hughes was taken to the ALMC emergency room where he was read the Miranda rights.

He faces one count of second degree murder which carries a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment and a mandatory sentence of no less than three years.

Bail was set at $1 million. If he makes bail he will be free without conditions, meaning his activities will not be restricted.

However, if he chose to leave the state he would be required to sign a waiver agreeing to return for court appearances.

Following normal procedure, Robert Hughes did not enter a plea during Friday’s court appearance.

Officers learned Tammy Hughes had recently moved out of the home. She had spoken with an attorney regarding divorce proceedings and was &uot;very concerned regarding custody of the couples two minor children,&uot; the complaint said.

Officers learned that Robert Hughes wanted to maintain custody of the children, Jonathan, 4, and Sarah, 5.

The children are being cared for by Tammy Hughes’ relatives.

(Contact Jennifer Rogers at newsclerk@albertleatribune.com or at 379-3438.)