Florida man tries to electrocute pregnant wife by rigging car battery to front door

32-year-old is charged with two counts of attempted aggravated battery on a pregnant person and one count of grand theft of a firearm: Getty Images / iStockphoto
32-year-old is charged with two counts of attempted aggravated battery on a pregnant person and one count of grand theft of a firearm: Getty Images / iStockphoto

A Florida man allegedly connected his front door to a car battery charger in a plot to electrocute his pregnant wife, it was reported.

Michael Wilson, from Palm Coast, is accused of trying to kill his wife by connecting wiring to the lock and handle of his front door, the Daytona Beach News-Journal said, citing court documents.

His intention was for her to enter the key into the lock to complete the circuit, it was claimed. He had warned his wife, who was in Knoxville, Tennessee at the time, not to let a child touch the door, according to the documents.

The warning made her stepfather suspicious, so he examined the house and discovered the rigging.

Mr Wilson, 32, is charged with two counts of attempted aggravated battery on a pregnant person and one count of grand theft of a firearm.

Flagler County Sherriff Rick Staley said it was the most “bizarre” case of domestic violence he had seen in his career.

“Not only did this man try to electrocute his wife, but he could have injured a deputy or any person attempting to enter this residence. Thankfully this man was found and taken into custody before he could cause the harm he intended,” he said.

Mr Wilson’s wife said her husband had changed after he had a fall several months ago. She said he advised her “to use the front door of the home because the garage door isn’t going to open.”

He was arrested and being held on $150,000 (£110,000) bail on Friday. He is due to be extradited to the Flagler County Detention Facility.