On April 29, 2016, an Arizona woman named Misty Lee Wilke got a life-altering revelation that set off a chain of violent events.
After discovering her boyfriend’s HIV-positive status, Wilke allegedly took matters into her own hands.
She did this in a manner that shocked both law enforcement and the public.
What began as an argument quickly escalated, ending with Wilke running over her boyfriend with her car.
According to reports, Wilke’s 44-year-old boyfriend disclosed his HIV-positive status during a confrontation at a local park.
Witnesses stated that the couple’s heated exchange turned aggressive when Wilke allegedly shoved her boyfriend.
In response, he swung a pocket knife at her, causing a minor cut on her arm.
Enraged by the disclosure and alleged taunting from her boyfriend, Wilke took drastic action.
As her boyfriend rode away on his bicycle, Wilke entered her red Ford Mustang, reportedly pursuing him through the park.
Surveillance footage captured the intense moment when Wilke’s vehicle struck the man head-on.
This sent him flying through the air before he collapsed on the ground with serious injuries.
Footage from a neighbor’s surveillance camera showed the Mustang speeding away from the scene immediately after the impact.
Aftermath and Injuries
Following the hit-and-run incident, the victim was left with a traumatic head injury which required numerous staples.
Additionally, he had a fractured vertebra.
Although he was able to stagger to his feet briefly after the collision, he quickly collapsed again due to the severity of his injuries.
Evidence recovered from Wilke’s car showed traces of the victim’s hair, blood, and scalp on the windshield, confirming the extent of the collision.
Wilke, after driving to a gas station, abandoned her vehicle and eventually called the police about 30 minutes later.
She admitted to authorities that she had hit someone with her car.
However, she insisted it was unintentional
She attributed her actions to shock and disbelief over her boyfriend’s HIV status.
Despite her claims, law enforcement pursued criminal charges based on witness testimonies and the CCTV footage of her direct attempt to harm the victim.
The Legal Battle: Charges and Sentencing
After the incident, Wilke faced serious legal charges.
This included attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Prosecutors argued that Wilke’s actions demonstrated a clear intent to harm.
They highlighted her willingness to run over her boyfriend at high speed and leave the scene.
Ultimately, Wilke accepted a plea deal.
She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and leaving the scene of an injury accident.
This plea led to a sentence of 6.5 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised probation.
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery commented on the severity of her actions.
He stated that her “willful intent to cause significant harm” necessitated a strong sentence as a message on the seriousness of the crime.
During the trial, the court presented evidence from CCTV footage and witness accounts.
Witnesses recounted seeing Wilke driving in circles around the park, seemingly taunting or attempting to target her boyfriend.
Statements from the prosecution highlighted Wilke’s disregard for the safety and well-being of the victim.
This aligned with the footage which showed her accelerating into the victim with her vehicle.
The small laceration Wilke suffered during the argument, though used in her defense, did little to sway the jury during the trial.
Wilke’s case has raised important questions about how extreme reactions in personal conflicts can lead to devastating outcomes.
Public reactions to the case were mixed.
Some expressed empathy over the shock of such a revelation, while others condemned her actions as an extreme overreaction that placed a life in danger.
Wilke’s choice to express her anger through violence caused serious injury to her boyfriend.
It also resulted in significant legal repercussions that forever changed her life.
Comments
Post a Comment