Lebanon — Michael Stayer pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and battery charges Monday stemming from the death of his ex-wife in Whitestown.
Police allege Michael Stayer, 31, Zionsville, repeatedly smashed his ex-wife in the face and head with a hammer, fracturing skull and facial bones. He is being held in the Boone County Jail without bond. Beth Stayer, 33, had been in critical condition at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, since being rushed there following a 9:05 a.m. attack Thursday.
Boone County Prosecutor Todd Meyer said he will be formally charged with murder this week, likely today.
Stayer, 9400 block of Windrift Way, Zionsville, had been arraigned on attempted murder, aggravated battery, battery resulting in serious bodily injury and domestic battery counts Friday morning in Boone Circuit Court.
Murder alone carries a 45- to 65-year prison term; the other crimes carry a maximum combined 29 year sentence.
A jury trial is set for Jan. 19, 2010, in the Boone Superior Court I. When asked whether Stayer will claim he was defending himself, Meyer said Stayer claimed he was struck in the head.
“Up until now, he has no signs of (head) injuries,” Meyer said. He added that the state of Indiana has filed a motion to obtain blood and hair samples.
Beth Stayer, who worked as a nurse for Clarian North Medical Center in Carmel, was found in a room of her condominium in the 6300 block of El Paso St., in an Anson townhouse development, police said. She had lived there about two weeks. The Stayers lived in Zionsville before they were divorced in May.
The couple’s 4-year-old child witnessed the attack, police said.
Local News
Stayer pleads not guilty
- Local News
-
-
VIDEO: Wells fourth-graders go back in time
Fourth-grade students at Granville Wells Elementary School got a firsthand taste of pioneer life Friday during the school's annual Pioneer Day. The event wraps up the fourth-graders' year-long study of Indiana history.
For more of the story, see Saturday's Lebanon Reporter or subscribe to our eEdition.
-
County official suffers injury in trail mishap
Boone County Councilman and Zionsville Community High School Government Teacher David Rodgers is recovering from major injuries after an accident Wednesday on the Rail Trail. Rodgers was apparently riding his bike on the trail during his lunch break.
-
Commissioners offer to buy former Elks Lodge building
Believing they’ve found an affordable answer to a crushing office space problem, the Boone County Commissioners Monday signed an agreement to buy the former Elks Lodge, 220 W. Washington St., a block from the Boone County Courthouse.
-
Right of way for trail donated to Lebanon
Right of way for a walking and biking trail on the south side of urban Lebanon has been donated by the county for the project.
-
Burning semi shuts down I-65
Traffic was snarled for hours on Interstate 65, U.S. 52 and Indiana 47 Tuesday after a semi-truck’s load of hay caught fire.
-
County planner will assist city too
Rachel Cardis, executive director of the Boone County Area Plan Commission, will spend some of her time helping the city of Lebanon with planning issues under an interlocal agreement approved by the Boone County Commissioners Monday.
-
Donaldson makes Fourth of July sweet
Lifelong Boone County resident George Donaldson claims he isn’t sweet.
-
LCSC seeks funding for school police dept.
The Lebanon Community School Corporation is looking at developing a corporation police/security department after the school board of trustees passed a resolution at last week’s meeting giving the department authority to operate if the corporation is able to obtain funding.
-
WeBo makes prestigious list
US News and World Report has ranked Western Boone 28th in the state of Indiana.
-
County may charge fees for road utility agreements
Plans by Frontier Communications to expand a cable network through Boone County as part of a multi-state project could lead to a change in the way the county handles such “utility” agreements.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
