PARK CITY — A man accused of attempting to murder his wife before fleeing to Montana will likely spend time in prison after pleading guilty under reduced charges.
Kevin Wilde, 64, pleaded guilty on Aug. 8 to aggravated sexual assault, a first-degree felony, admitting to threatening his wife with a dangerous weapon while sexually abusing her and compelling her to submit to rape or sexual abuse through threats of kidnapping, death or injury.
Under a plea deal, multiple charges were dismissed, including attempted murder, a first-degree felony; aggravated assault resulting in serious injury, a second-degree felony; and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.
Charging documents said Wilde, a resident of Oakley, in Summit County, pushed his 73-year-old wife down a flight of stairs after she refused his sexual advances and he strangled her. The woman then found a crescent wrench and told him to leave, but he gained control of the wrench and began striking her.
Charges state that Wilde went upstairs, but then returned and hit her again on the head and face multiple times. They say the woman believed she was going to die, and she tried to remain motionless, hoping he would not return.
After Wilde left the home, taking his wife's cellphone, she was able to get help through Facebook Messenger and was flown to a hospital for treatment for facial fractures and cuts.
Wilde is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24. The plea agreement said both sides agreed to recommend he serve a prison term of 10 years to life — a reduction from the statutory sentence of between 15 years and life.
Domestic violence resources
Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah's confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
- YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
- Utah's statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
