Officer

Girlfriend of Slain Officer Officially Charged With His Murder

The girlfriend of an off-duty Darby Borough police officer who was shot and killed in his own home last Saturday has been charged with his murder. The Delaware County District Attorney announced the charges Tuesday against 27-year-old Tyaina Finch.

"He was murdered, it's that simple," said Darby Borough Police Chief Robert Smythe. "When the facts come out, it might be more of an assassination than a murder."

Finch was charged with first and third degree murder as well as aggravated assault and a weapons offense in the death of Darby Borough Officer Mark Hudson, 26. Finch is being held at the George Hill Correctional Facility.

"We always, from the beginning, had suspicions that she was the one," Darby Twp. Police Chief Len McDevitt Jr. said.

The announcement came the morning after Finch was charged with threatening Officer Hudson, 26, with a knife last summer.

Hudson was at his Magnolia Street home in Darby Township Saturday around 4:30 p.m. when he was shot in the chest in a second-floor bedroom. He was shot by his own service revolver several feet away, according to sources.

He was rushed to Penn Presbyterian where he died a short time later.

Finch, who police say was inside the home when officers arrived, was taken away in handcuffs. Neighbors told NBC10 police were called to the Magnolia St. home for domestic disputes several times over recent months.

In the hours after the shooting, Finch initially told police the shooting was accidental and that Hudson's gun suddenly went off when she tried to remove it from the mouth of their dog who had picked it up, investigators said.

Finch later changed her story however and told police she acted in self-defense after a half-hour long fight with Hudson, according to officials. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan told NBC10 evidence does not support Finch's claim of self-defense however.

Hudson filed for an emergency Protection from Abuse order last January, police said. He also called police last August after he and Finch had an argument, investigators said.

The two were in the middle of a break-up and Hudson told her to leave his home, according to officials. During the argument, Finch allegedly grabbed an 8-inch kitchen knife while screaming at Hudson. Hudson hid in an upstairs bedroom, locked the door and called police, investigators said.

On Monday, Finch was charged with possession of an instrument of crime with intent, simple assault and terroristic threats in connection with that incident while hospitalized for an unrelated medical issue. She was arraigned at the hospital and Hudson’s handcuffs were placed on her wrists when the bedside arraignment took place, according to multiple sources.

Police believe Finch and Hudson had just recently rekindled their relationship prior to the shooting.

Hudson worked part-time for the Darby Borough Police Department for four years. Darby Borough Police Chief Robert Smythe told NBC10 he planned to recommend him for full-time duty due to the quality of his work.

He was also one of 50 volunteer firefighters in Yeadon Borough. He joined the fire company at the age of 16 and volunteered for the past 10 years.

"At first he was a little shy and then he opened up and he's everybody's friend," said Yeadon Fire Co. Chief Michael Dilenno. "He's got this infectious smile. He's just goofy and he's fun to be around. Everybody at the firehouse here loved him."

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