GRANTHAM — A Doc's Drive man is being held without bail for allegedly shooting his wife to death.

James W. Perriello, 41, was found on his property after police responded to a 911 called from his home Thursday night. His wife, Natalie Perriello, 42, was discovered dead.

She had been shot several times just before 10 p.m., according to a press release from the Attorney General's office on Friday.
Perriello faces two charges of second-degree murder, according to court documents.

One second-degree murder charges alleges he caused the death of his wife by knowingly shooting her several times with a handgun. The charge of reckless second-degree murder alleges he caused her death under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life, by shooting her several times.

The arrest affidavit was sealed at the courthouse and Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeffery A. Strelzin refused to say what investigators believe happened.

He did say investigators found Perriello acted recklessly and with a knowing state of mind.

The New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit was still collecting evidence Friday, he said.

Perriello was arraigned in the 5th Circuit Court District Division in Newport Friday afternoon. A probable cause hearing was scheduled for May 8. The judge could not set bail during the arraignment because the charges carry life sentences. Such a possible sentence precludes Perriello from being eligible for bail at the district court level, Strelzin said.

Once the charges reach Sullivan County Superior Court, he could ask for a bail hearing, he said.

Perriello is being held at the Sullivan County jail in Claremont, which is about 15 miles southwest of Grantham. He was dressed in a white plastic jumper in the courtroom. Strelzin said it is likely that the clothing Perriello was arrested in was taken as evidence.
After the arraignment, family members left the courthouse without commenting.

Strelzin said the couple's four children were inside the home during the shooting. The children, between the ages of 3 and 12 years old, were not injured.

He refused to say if the children had witnessed the violence or who had called 911.

“The call was placed from the home,” he said.

Grantham and state police placed the children with family, Strelzin said. He did not say where.

Perriello, his wife and four children are believed to have been the only people at the home at the time of the shooting, he said.
Although the home at 80 Doc's Drive is rural, neighbors are being interviewed by investigators for anything they may have seen or heard Thursday night.

“This isn't the type of neighborhood where houses are right on top of each other,” Strelzin said.

The background of the couple is being investigated by state police as well, he said.