E'town man indicted for attempted murder, rape

More serious charges have been brought against a 42-year-old Elizabethtown man who was arrested in October after reportedly threatening his wife with a revolver and eventually hitting her with it.

ODOM

A Hardin County grand jury indicted Michael R. Odom for criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree rape, tampering with physical evidence and second-degree assault.

He’s been in the Hardin County Detention Center since his Oct. 15 arrest on charges of first-degree wanton endangerment and second-degree assault.

During a preliminary hearing in Hardin District Court, Elizabethtown Sgt. Brian Graham said police responded to Odom’s Oriole Drive residence in response to a domestic dispute complaint.

According to the sergeant, a fight began when Odom entered the bedroom where his wife was sleeping and attempted to initiate sexual contact.

When the woman refused, Odom accused her of infidelity and a physical struggle ensued, Graham said. Odom allegedly struck his wife repeatedly with closed fists and pulled a weapon, the officer testified.

Police said the woman reported seeing Odom place a bullet in the revolver’s chamber before he pointed it at her head. Police also said Odom pulled the trigger several times.

The indictment issued in November also said Odom forced his wife to engage in sexual intercourse.

Elizabethtown Police Department spokesman Virgil Willoughby said the tampering charge stems from accusations Odom forced his wife to shower and wash away evidence of blood after the altercation.

Odom remains in jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 8 in Hardin Circuit Court.

According to court records, Odom has no criminal history in Hardin County.

During a preliminary hearing, his attorney, public defender David Stewart, said Odom previously served as a police detective in Mississippi.

Attempted murder and first-degree rape are Class B felonies, which are punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison if convicted, according to Kentucky Revised Statutes.

Sarah Bennett can be reached at (270) 505-1750 or sbennett@thenewsenterprise.com.