COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man accused of killing his girlfriend was ordered to take a mental exam by a judge for the defense to present battered spouse syndrome evidence.

Isaiah Goins, 27, of Columbia, is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action after shooting his girlfriend, identified as M.G. in court documents, in July 2025.

In July 2025, Goins saw M.G. after she had been out of town and accused her of being unfaithful, according to investigators.

Goins met M.G. and got into her car Saturday night before pulling out a gun on Lake of the Woods Road and demanding that M.G. let him out, the statement says. When M.G. pulled onto Geyser Road and stopped, Goins allegedly shot her during an argument and ran from the scene.

A deputy later found the car next to a house, where it had rolled to a stop, but it did not hit the building, the statement says.

Goins' defense is expected to present evidence of battered spouse syndrome, described as acting in self-defense or in defense of another.

A status hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 8:30 a.m.

For evidence of battered spouse syndrome to be presented, the judge will order a psychiatric exam for Goins.