A Ridgefield man pleaded not responsible by cause of madness Thursday in reference to the June 2023 strangulation loss of life of his 80-year-old spouse.
Wayne Leonetti, 74, is charged with two counts of second-degree home violence homicide within the loss of life of Alice Bolen.
He’s scheduled for a listening to April 17, when psychologists are scheduled to testify about their assessments of Leonetti’s psychological state, and the choose is ready to rule on whether or not Leonetti had the capability to inform proper from mistaken. If the choose acquits Leonetti beneath a discovering of madness, he’d be dedicated to Western State Hospital, a state psychiatric hospital, presumably for the remainder of his life.
Clark County sheriff’s deputies responded at 11:12 a.m. June 28, 2023, to a home within the 19400 block of Northwest 61st Avenue.
Leonetti known as 911 to report he’d simply killed his spouse, Bolen. A member of the family additionally known as 911 to report Leonetti had known as her and mentioned he’d killed his spouse, in accordance with a possible trigger affidavit.
Bolen was pronounced lifeless on the scene, regardless of life-saving efforts. Investigators mentioned her accidents had been in step with strangulation, in accordance with courtroom data.
Relations advised deputies the couple had been married for 1½ years. They described Leonetti as controlling, particularly when it got here to Bolen spending time along with her grandchildren. They mentioned Leonetti insisted on being along with her, in accordance with courtroom data.
Bolen was identified with breast most cancers two months prior, which relations mentioned apparently induced Leonetti to be unable to sleep and have suicidal ideas. Relations additionally mentioned they took Leonetti to a hospital about two weeks prior for psychological well being assist and confiscated his firearms for safekeeping at his request, the courtroom data state.
Bolen had frolicked along with her grandchildren the day earlier than with out Leonetti current, household mentioned, which apparently upset him. She was supposed to choose up the kids once more that morning, however she didn’t present up. When household was unable to succeed in Bolen or Leonetti by telephone, they got here to the couple’s home and noticed the massive regulation enforcement presence, in accordance with courtroom data.
In an interview with deputies, Leonetti mentioned he had a superb relationship with Bolen and denied arguing along with her. He mentioned he’d been fighting sleeping issues, which started along with his spouse’s most cancers prognosis, in addition to despair, courtroom data state.
Leonetti mentioned his therapist advised him Bolen’s most cancers prognosis triggered his post-traumatic stress dysfunction from when his earlier partner of greater than 40 years died in 2019. He additionally later advised investigators Bolen advised him she was planning to go away him, in accordance with courtroom data.
Investigators mentioned Leonetti was unable to recall a lot of the occasions of that morning.